Allies of the Higher Manchester mayor insist he stays laser-focused on profitable Makerfield, seen as a crucial take a look at of Labour’s collapsing help in its heartlands.
Andy Burnham is looking for a return to the Home of Commons (Picture: Getty)
Andy Burnham has held secret talks with Sue Grey, Keir Starmer’s former chief of employees, on the best way to seize energy and kind a authorities if he returns to Westminster and topples the Prime Minister, it has been claimed. The discussions come as Labour’s inner succession frenzy spirals forward of the high-stakes Makerfield by-election, with senior figures treating Mr Burnham’s potential comeback as a critical menace to Sir Keir’s grip on No 10 following disastrous native election outcomes.
Ms Grey — who served as Sir Keir’s highly effective chief of employees from the opposition years by means of the early months of Authorities till her abrupt resignation in October 2024 — suggested Mr Burnham on managing a future transition into Downing Road. The pair have identified one another for many years, courting again to Mr Burnham’s time as a minister in Tony Blair’s Authorities when Ms Grey labored within the Cupboard Workplace.
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Sue Grey now sits within the Home of Lords (Picture: PA)
Ms Grey is greatest identified for her explosive Partygate investigation in 2021-22, the place as a senior civil servant she led the probe into lockdown-breaking events in Boris Johnson’s Downing Road, delivering a damning report that uncovered a tradition of rule-breaking on the coronary heart of presidency.
She later gave proof to the official Covid-19 Inquiry. In Sir Keir’s administration, she acted as his chief enforcer and gatekeeper in No 10 however give up amid hostile briefings, accusations of “management freakery,” and creating bottlenecks that delayed selections.
Sources near the talks confused Ms Grey shouldn’t be anticipated to take any formal function in a future Burnham-led authorities, The Guardian reported.
Allies of the Higher Manchester mayor insist he stays laser-focused on profitable Makerfield, seen as a crucial take a look at of Labour’s collapsing help in its heartlands.
A latest Survation ballot confirmed Mr Burnham on 43% for Labour in opposition to Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon on a surprising 40% in what was as soon as rock-solid territory. Nationally, a Extra in Frequent survey put Labour at simply 30% underneath Mr Burnham’s hypothetical management, solely narrowly forward of Reform on 27%.
Showing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Keir’s chief secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, slammed the manoeuvring as “fantasy politics” whereas concurrently praising Mr Burnham as a “sensible politician” and confirming he would marketing campaign for him.
Mr Jones warned in opposition to distraction from governing, saying: “Labour should not hand the nation to Reform.”
But the optics inform a special story. Wes Streeting — considered as a possible management rival — joined deputy chief Lucy Powell in campaigning for Mr Burnham, whereas chief whip Jonathan Reynolds was pictured with a “Burnham for Makerfield” poster.
Get prime tales from The Categorical despatched straight to your telephone Be a part of us on WhatsApp
Our group members are handled to particular provides, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions. You may take a look at at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Mr Streeting has been overtly positioning himself with requires a “wealth tax that works” and a “correct contest” over Labour’s course.
Talking on the Hay Pageant, former international secretary David Miliband urged a deal with coverage over personalities, criticising Sir Keir’s authorities for not scaling up reforms aggressively sufficient in apprenticeships, renewable vitality and welfare.
Mr Burnham has distanced himself from rejoining the EU whereas pushing higher public management over transport, housing and vitality — indicators of a extra interventionist pitch that appeals to disillusioned voters.
The revelations expose deep fractures in Labour as Sir Keir’s authority wanes and impressive figures put together for a post-Starmer period. With Reform respiratory down their necks, the get together’s civil struggle dangers changing into a present to its populist rivals.
Leave a Reply