Andy Burnham’s first day as prime minister ended with a phone call to Donald Trump. But hours earlier, the new PM had set about dismantling the legacy of his predecessor, sacking more than nine ministers with close ties to Sir Keir Starmer.
David Lammy, Darren Jones, Rachel Reeves and Peter Kyle all left the government. Others, like John Healey, received shock promotions. Healey, who quit Starmer’s government over a row on defence spending, was appointed chancellor – arguably the most important job in government after the prime minister. The move took Westminster by surprise, following weeks of speculation that either Shabana Mahmood or Ed Miliband would be handed the Treasury.
“Andy Burnham sacks nine Starmer loyalists and appoints John Healey as chancellor in a shock reshuffle.”
The reshuffle began around 5pm, with Healey arriving at Downing Street in a clear sign of his destination. It came after days of briefing that Burnham had made up his mind to appoint Mahmood, triggering a backlash from the Labour left who had long expected Miliband. Miliband, the former energy secretary, was instead appointed foreign secretary – one of the four great offices of state. He arrived at Downing Street with Mahmood in a show of unity.
Louise Haigh, forced to resign as transport secretary after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago, was brought back as First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister for the Cabinet Office. Angela Rayner, who left the housing brief nearly a year ago over her tax affairs, returned to the same role.
Burnham took over as prime minister promising a “circuit breaker” for British politics. The purge of Starmer loyalists and the elevation of Healey signal a government that will prioritise Britain’s military, with Healey’s appointment suggesting No 10 will fall in line with his vision for defence spending. On the same day, Burnham found time for a call with Donald Trump, though details of the conversation remain unclear.
The reshuffle, which saw nine brutal sackings before the chancellor was announced, has left questions over the direction of Burnham’s government and whether the Labour left has finally secured its grip on power.