The former foreign secretary David Miliband has declared himself “optimistic” about the prospect of Andy Burnham becoming the next prime minister, as the Labour leader-in-waiting faces a defining decision on his chancellor this weekend.
Speaking at a think tank event in London on Friday, Miliband said Burnham has “this openness and energy that I think is very attractive and positive”. He also praised the expected appointment of former Labour cabinet minister James Purnell as Burnham’s Downing Street chief of staff, calling it “fantastic”.
“David Miliband says he is 'optimistic' about Andy Burnham becoming PM, as Burnham nears chancellor decision.”
“Andy Burnham, James [Purnell] and I came into the House of Commons at the same time in 2001 and I think [Burnham has] always had this remarkable ability to listen, to connect, to process data and ideas and information,” Miliband told an event organised by the Center for Global Development.
The comments have reignited speculation that Miliband – older brother of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband – could return to front-line politics in a Burnham government. He quit as MP for South Shields in 2013 to become president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, jobs he still holds. While a prime minister’s cabinet is usually drawn from the Commons, in theory Miliband could join through a peerage in the House of Lords, as David Cameron did when he became foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak.
When asked what his message to the next prime minister was on UK aid spending and whether he was interested in joining Burnham’s government, Miliband dodged the question. “My message is of course to read the IRC’s publications because they provide such an evidence-based and innovative and cost-effective way of serving the most vulnerable and poverty-stricken parts of the world,” he said. When asked if he had been in contact with team Burnham recently, he did not reply. A source who knows Miliband told the BBC he would be “a massive asset to Andy Burnham’s cabinet”, citing his work on foreign affairs, humanitarian action and climate change.
The chancellor question has become the central drama of Burnham’s transition. The New Statesman reports that the biggest choice facing Burnham right now is who he will make chancellor, with people who claim to know his mind saying they expect him to decide this weekend. Market uncertainty through next week could itself become a major story. No promises have been made to anybody, the report says.
Harriet Harman has waded in, saying Ed Miliband should be Burnham’s chancellor. But the contest is far from settled. Although Rachel Reeves has been working business supporters for words of support, a Burnham backer told the New Statesman: “Not Rachel.” The two most obvious candidates to replace her are Wes Streeting from the centre right and Ed Miliband from the centre left. Streeting is the favourite with Ladbrokes, but contrary to other reports, after backing him publicly last week, Streeting has neither lobbied nor asked Burnham for the job and has no particular expectations – he has not been “banging the door down” on Burnham’s temporary office, according to the New Statesman. The case against Streeting is that he has made no secret of his appetite for the top job, which might make Burnham nervous.
The case against Ed Miliband is better known, prosecuted vigorously in the right-wing press. Attacked by union leaders for his net zero policies and savaged by commentators who see him as the knee-jerk left-wing candidate, he would be closely scrutinised by bond markets. One senior MP said: “It’s actually unfair, but the question is, can Ed get beyond the vicious caricature of him?” Yet the case for Miliband is powerful and hasn’t been properly aired, the New Statesman notes. Burnham is due to give a speech on the economy and devolution on Monday, as the clock ticks on his most consequential personnel decision.