Burnham Challenges Starmer Over Cabinet Balance After Rayner Exit
The Labour Party has been thrown into another storm, and this time it’s not just about policy—it’s about who sits at the very top of the table. Angela Rayner’s sudden resignation, following revelations that she underpaid stamp duty, set off a dramatic reshuffle. Overnight, the government’s line-up changed: David Lammy was made deputy prime minister, Yvette Cooper was shifted to foreign secretary, and Shabana Mahmood took over as home secretary. But in the shuffle, one key voice stood up with concern—Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester.
Burnham didn’t hold back. He admitted he was worried about the “balance” of the cabinet, hinting that too many decisions were being shaped in London without enough northern voices in the mix. He said the upcoming deputy leadership contest, triggered by Rayner’s resignation as Labour’s deputy leader, should become a real opportunity to rethink how the party is being run. In his view, someone from northern England—like Louise Haigh or Lucy Powell—would help counter what he described as a “London-centric” approach.
His comments also tapped into something deeper. Burnham pointed out that Labour’s internal rows over issues like winter fuel payments and disability benefits were being handled in a way that seemed harsh. He criticized the removal of MPs like Rachael Maskell from the whip, saying it felt unfair and unnecessary. In his words, the party needed a “different style” of leadership—one that included more people and encouraged unity rather than division.
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Meanwhile, Defence Secretary John Healey painted a very different picture. He defended Keir Starmer’s reshuffle as “swift action” and argued that the new team was ready to “go up a gear.” He praised Rayner’s contribution, calling her an inspiration to working-class women, but insisted the government was still strong and capable of delivering for the public. His tone suggested Starmer was pressing reset and demanding more energy and focus from his team.
The deputy leadership contest itself is already shaping up to be more than just an internal vote. Emily Thornberry has said she is considering a run, though she questioned whether geography should matter as much as experience and strength. Still, the question of who takes that position could determine how much influence Burnham has over Labour’s future direction. After all, the deputy leader sits on the party’s National Executive Committee—a body that could either ease or block Burnham’s own route back into Westminster if he ever seeks it.
Behind the scenes, Burnham’s name is increasingly tied to the launch of a new soft-left group called Mainstream . It’s being seen by many as a vehicle that could propel him into national leadership one day, just as Labour Together once gave Starmer a platform. For Burnham, openly questioning the cabinet’s balance is more than just regional loyalty—it may be the first step in testing his weight against the party leader.
In short, what started as Angela Rayner’s resignation has quickly turned into something bigger: a debate about Labour’s direction, its internal culture, and whether Keir Starmer’s grip on the party will hold firm against voices like Burnham’s, who are clearly ready to shape the future.
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