Andy Burnham plans major shake-up of Foreign Office
Andy Burnham is planning a major shake-up of the Foreign Office, which is expected to include a roadmap to return the UK to spending 0.7 per cent of GDP on international aid, reports BritPanorama.
Senior Labour sources indicate that advisers to Burnham have been consulting party expertise on reforming the Foreign Office. A central element will involve clarifying the UK’s military stance in the ongoing conflict in Iran and assessing appropriate support for Ukraine amidst its war with Russia.
There is an emerging consensus that energy secretary Ed Miliband may be appointed foreign secretary in Burnham’s government, with a clear mandate to prioritise climate issues within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Miliband is expected to adopt a more progressive stance on Middle Eastern policy, particularly following Burnham’s recent assertion that the Labour Party’s approach to the Gaza conflict has “not been good enough”. As Burnham prepares for his policy launch, climate activists have gathered in London to protest potential increases in drilling in the North Sea.
In the Labour Party, there has been significant discontent regarding how leaders like Sir Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves reduced international development funding to 0.2 per cent of GDP to support rising defence budgets, without providing a plan to restore it to the previous level.
The 0.7 per cent target, established under Gordon Brown’s government, was continued by David Cameron’s administration. However, it was subsequently lowered under Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, continuing under Starmer’s leadership. One senior Labour figure noted, “Keir and Rachel broke a manifesto commitment on international aid but they were just not willing to engage with anybody on the issue.”
Senior MPs, including Commons overseas development committee chair Sarah Champion, have been advocating for a return to the previous funding commitment. Another MP remarked, “This was all part of Labour trying to out-reform Reform under Starmer; it is the sort of mean policy Farage advocated. Andy [Burnham] has made it clear we will be ‘distinctively Labour’ again, and restoring development goals and the budget for it will be a big step towards that.”
Miliband was previously seen as a leading candidate for chancellor but appears to have been overtaken by home secretary Shabana Mahmood for that role. One source stated, “It looks like Ed is now a lock for the foreign secretary job. That is what is coming out from everyone at the moment.”
Supporters believe that Miliband’s new role would indicate a serious commitment to reforming the Foreign Office, with the aim of integrating development goals into climate policy and building international coalitions to tackle climate-related challenges.
Even if Ed Miliband does not secure the foreign secretary position, aspirations for international aid reform will continue, as his brother, David Miliband, currently leads the International Rescue Committee and advocates for a return to the 0.7 per cent target.
Pushing further on climate issues, Ed Miliband’s special adviser, Polly Billington, has contributed to the Burnham policy team discussing the need for international cooperation to address climate change beyond the influence of major economies like the US, China, and Russia.
Labour MP Joe Powell, expected to take an anti-corruption role, is advocating for stricter measures against money laundering in London to enhance international aid efforts and strengthen democracies against corrupt practices linked to cryptocurrency.
He emphasised the need to address “opaque” ownership within the London property market, citing that in his constituency, 40 per cent of foreign-owned properties are held in anonymous trusts.
As discussions continue regarding the composition of Burnham’s cabinet, suggestions about Angela Rayner potentially taking the health secretary role have been downplayed. Lucy Powell is favoured for deputy PM, with possible leadership over cultural affairs.
Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned Burnham of “a rude awakening” in an upcoming interview with the BBC, making clear her expectations of scrutiny and accountability in his leadership.
With significant shifts on the political horizon, Burnham’s first days in office are anticipated to define his approach to both domestic and international policy, suggesting a proactive stance towards global issues.
