Key facts
- Andy Burnham has appointed three members of the Socialist Campaign Group as parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs).
- This marks the first time members of the Socialist Campaign Group have served in government.
- Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley stated that the role of PPSs will be enhanced with more media and parliamentary opportunities.
- Burnham aimed to unify the Labour party by appointing individuals from both left and centrist wings.
- Olivia Blake, Mary Kelly Foy, and Steve Witherden are the new PPSs from the Socialist Campaign Group.
- Sir Nic Dakin, Jo Platt, and David Baines were appointed as Burnham's personal PPSs.
Andy Burnham has appointed three members of Labour's most leftwing faction, the Socialist Campaign Group, to serve as ministerial aides, marking a significant inclusion of this faction in government for the first time. Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley has also indicated that the role of parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) will be strengthened, allowing them greater involvement in media appearances and policy direction.
Burnham, who has previously expressed a desire to end Labour factionalism, has brought in Olivia Blake, Mary Kelly Foy, and Steve Witherden from the Socialist Campaign Group to serve as PPSs for local government, housing, and energy, respectively. These junior roles are often seen as a training ground for aspiring MPs.
Burnham appointed veteran MP Sir Nic Dakin as his own PPS, along with local allies Jo Platt and David Baines. The appointments were reportedly made in consultation with cabinet ministers, aiming to create a diverse and talented group supporting the prime minister's agenda.
However, the changes have led to frustration among some MPs, including former minister Tulip Siddiq, who expressed dismay at the dismissal of competent individuals from their roles, noting the removal of the first black woman to serve as a prime minister's PPS.