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Politics
Jun 24, 2026
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Andy Burnham's Cabinet: Who's In, Who's Out, and Who's on the Fence

AI Summary
As Andy Burnham prepares to become the UK's next Prime Minister, political analysts are speculating about who will make it into his cabinet. The article examines likely candidates, uncertain positions, and those expected to be left out as Burnham forms his new government.

The New Prime Minister's First Major Decision

By mid-July, as now seems almost inevitable, we will have a new prime minister in Andy Burnham. He will, of course, then pick his own cabinet. This selection process will be one of the first and most significant decisions of his premiership, shaping the direction of his government and sending clear signals about his priorities and political alliances.

Certain Cabinet Contenders

Several key figures appear almost certain to secure positions in Burnham's cabinet, reflecting both their political importance and their relationship with the incoming Prime Minister.

  • Ed Miliband - Among the possibilities for chancellor, with allies touting the idea. Even if not, the energy secretary is a Labour heavyweight and no Keir Starmer fan, so a job in the new cabinet feels inevitable.
  • Shabana Mahmood - May be kept in her current job of home secretary, where her hardline policies on immigration might temper Burnham's more left-leaning policies.
  • Wes Streeting - Tipped for chancellor, though he is a mere six weeks out of the health job he resigned from in protest against Starmer. The Foreign Office is another possibility.
  • Angela Rayner - The former deputy prime minister was cleared by HMRC of any wrongdoing in a tax affairs investigation and will almost certainly return as a leading figure on Labour's left.
  • Yvette Cooper - The foreign secretary is hugely experienced and knows Burnham well from his last stint in parliament, finishing marginally above her in second place in the 2015 Labour leadership contest.
  • Lisa Nandy - The culture secretary has felt somewhat detached from the Starmer government and is more ideologically aligned to Burnham.

Rising Stars and New Faces

Burnham's cabinet will likely include several newer MPs who played crucial roles in his leadership campaign, representing a generational shift in Labour's top team.

  • Anneliese Midgley - The Knowsley MP has been in parliament for only two years but has a long background as a Labour organiser and played a central role in Burnham's push for No 10.
  • Sally Jameson - Representing Doncaster since 2024, Jameson has no ministerial experience but does have a background in Labour politics, as well as working as a prison officer.
  • Miatta Fahnbulleh - Another 2024 entrant with her background as an economist and thinktanker, she was immediately brought into government by Starmer and is an outside bet for chancellor.

The Uncertain Cabinet Positions

Several current ministers face uncertain futures as Burnham forms his cabinet, with their positions depending on political calculations and personal relationships.

  • Rachel Reeves - A big hitter as the UK's first female chancellor, she attended Burnham's Westminster Hall rally but her future in government is not at all clear.
  • Darren Jones - A key figure in the Starmer firmament with his specially created job of chief secretary to the prime minister, he is considered an effective government operator so may find a role.
  • David Lammy - The justice secretary and deputy PM is clearly a major figure in the current government but his closeness to Starmer makes his transition uncertain.
  • Bridget Phillipson - Not on the Burnham bandwagon but not overly tribal, her allies believe she has a case for staying in her education brief or getting another job.

Those Likely to Be Left Out

Several current ministers appear unlikely to retain their positions in a Burnham cabinet, reflecting political divisions and loyalty to the outgoing Prime Minister.

  • Steve Reed - The communities secretary is the ultimate Starmer loyalist, co-founding Labour Together, the internal thinktank that led the Starmer project. He will likely return to the backbenches.
  • Peter Kyle - The business secretary who effectively confirmed Starmer's downfall by saying he would not be "delusional" has no particular ties to Team Burnham.
  • Liz Kendall - The science and technology secretary is on the right of the party, not part of the Burnham gang, and will almost certainly be replaced.
  • James Murray - Shifted from the Treasury to take Streeting's place as health secretary, he will likely be in the job long enough to get his picture added to the ministerial wall but little more.

The Political Implications of Burnham's Choices

Burnham's cabinet selections will send clear signals about the direction of his government and the Labour Party. The inclusion of figures from different wings of the party suggests an attempt to build a broad coalition, while the exclusion of Starmer loyalists indicates a clear break from the previous administration. The balance between experience and new faces, between left and right, will determine how effectively Burnham can govern and implement his agenda.

What Happens Next in UK Politics

As Burnham forms his cabinet, the Labour Party will be watching closely to see how he balances competing factions and priorities. His first major policy announcements and the composition of his cabinet will set the tone for his premiership and likely influence the Conservative opposition's strategy. The coming weeks will reveal whether Burnham can unite the party behind a clear vision and begin to address the challenges facing the country after the Starmer era.