Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer met privately today for the first time in almost two months as preparations for the Prime Minister’s transition of power are underway.
The two politicians held a confidential one-hour discussion at a location outside of Downing Street, following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of intentions to step down. This meeting marked their first interaction since the start of the Makerfield by-election campaign.
During a meeting with his Cabinet, Keir Starmer expressed his desire for a smooth transition of power and assured that he would facilitate the process for his successor. The Prime Minister has authorized civil servants to start briefing Andy Burnham and any potential leadership contenders to help them prepare for their roles in government.
Andy Burnham is currently the leading candidate to succeed the Prime Minister and is poised to potentially take office on July 17, unless other contenders emerge. He is scheduled to engage in campaigning activities in south London tomorrow for a local council by-election and will participate in a rally with Labour supporters. Additionally, he is expected to outline his policy agenda through a series of speeches.
Support for Andy Burnham has been growing, with members of Keir Starmer’s top team positioning themselves for roles in Burnham’s Cabinet. Speculations suggest that Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary and former Labour leader, could potentially replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor, despite some concerns within unions regarding his environmental policies.
Discussions also point to the possibility of Wes Streeting, who withdrew his leadership ambitions to support Burnham, potentially taking on a role at the Treasury, although this move may face opposition from left-wing MPs.
In other Cabinet speculations, Shabana Mahmood is anticipated to retain her position as Home Secretary, as she is keen on maintaining her role to prevent Reform from gaining influence in the government.
Lucy Powell, Labour’s deputy leader and a close associate of Andy Burnham, is expected to play a significant role in the new administration. Despite not being given a Cabinet position after winning the deputy leader contest last year, she is likely to have a key role in Burnham’s team.
Several other current ministers are also positioning themselves for roles in the new government, with considerations for maintaining some continuity in key positions, while also allowing for potential new appointments to ensure a smooth transition of power.
The process also involves decisions on crucial backroom roles in Downing Street, such as chief-of-staff and director of communications. Notably, consultations have been ongoing with key economic experts to ensure a balanced and effective Cabinet as preparations for the transition progress.
As the transition of power unfolds, a focus on maintaining stability and unity within the government is paramount, with efforts to balance regional representation and expertise in key areas of governance.