Key facts
- Andy Burnham has appointed Anas Sarwar as trade minister.
- Ed Miliband has been appointed foreign secretary.
- John Healey has been appointed chancellor.
- Wes Streeting has been appointed defense secretary.
- Louise Haigh will serve as first secretary of state and head of the Cabinet Office.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun his premiership by appointing key figures to his cabinet, many of whom were vocal critics of his predecessor, Keir Starmer. This strategic move appears aimed at consolidating power and signaling a departure from Starmer's leadership style.
Anas Sarwar, who as Scottish Labour leader was among the first to call for Starmer's resignation, is set to join the House of Lords and serve as trade minister. Ed Miliband, previously a minister in Starmer's government, has been promoted to foreign secretary after privately suggesting Starmer consider his position ahead of local elections.
John Healey, who resigned as defense secretary over military spending disagreements, has been appointed the new chancellor. Wes Streeting, who had been health secretary and was seen as a potential challenger to Starmer, now takes on the role of defense secretary. Louise Haigh, instrumental in Burnham's rise, will become first secretary of state and head of the Cabinet Office, effectively serving as Burnham's second-in-command.
These appointments suggest a deliberate effort by Burnham to reshape the Labour Party's leadership and distance himself from the controversies and perceived weaknesses of the Starmer era.