Key facts
- Andy Burnham has selected James Purnell as his chief of staff.
- Purnell is a former minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
- Purnell previously served as work and pensions secretary.
- Purnell resigned from Gordon Brown's government in 2009.
- Purnell is currently CEO of lobbying firm Flint Global.
- Burnham is expected to become prime minister on July 17.
Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next UK prime minister, has chosen his former cabinet colleague James Purnell as his chief of staff. This appointment is a significant step as Burnham finalizes his team for government, with an expected confirmation date of July 17.
Purnell, a former work and pensions secretary under Gordon Brown, previously served as a minister in Tony Blair's government. He resigned from Brown's government in 2009 in protest. Purnell later joined the BBC as director of strategy before becoming chief executive of the lobbying firm Flint Global in 2024.
Burnham and Purnell share a long political history, having met as new MPs from the north-west and shared an office early in their parliamentary careers. Purnell was instrumental in Burnham's initial campaign to become a Member of Parliament in 2001.
With Keir Starmer having announced his resignation, Burnham is the sole expected candidate for the Labour leadership. Nominations open on July 9 and close on July 15. If he remains the only candidate, he will be confirmed as prime minister on July 17. Starmer's office will facilitate formal access talks with the civil service for Burnham.