'Forget Miliband as Chancellor - Andy Burnham just made his biggest mistake yet'
Forget Ed Miliband as Chancellor - Andy Burnham just made his biggest mistake yet
The incoming Prime Minister has a lot to say about the economy but is ignoring one of the biggest issues facing the UK, writes Jonathan Walker
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Add us as preferred source Comments ANALYSIS By Jonathan Walker, Whitehall Editor 16:23, Mon, Jun 29, 2026 Updated: 16:46, Mon, Jun 29, 2026 
Voters are deeply concerned about immigration. And a sense that Labour (and the last Conservative Government) failed to control who comes into our country has helped drive support for Reform and Nigel Farage. But on the evidence of his long-awaited speech in Manchester, Andy Burnham has no interest in the subject.
There’s a lot of speculation about who Andy Burnham will name as his Chancellor once he becomes Prime Minister, which seems certain to happen within weeks. He’s thought to be considering handing the role to Ed Miliband, the Net Zero Secretary, which would be a deeply unpopular move. Some Labour MPs fear Mr Miliband’s commitment to “net zero” policies helps explain why Sir Keir Starmer’s Government became so unpopular. They also blame Mr Miliband for allowing Jeremy Corbyn to become Labour leader, ushering in what they see as Labour’s darkest period, and they still haven’t forgiven him.
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But there is another job in Government that’s just as important. This is the role of Home Secretary.
One of the biggest challenges facing the UK Government at the moment is how to stop the arrival of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats.
Then there’s the question of what to do with the people who arrive, particularly if they claim they are fleeing persecution. Should they have a chance to make their case to Home Office officials, or to a court? If so, where will they live while they wait for a decision?
And what about legal immigration? There were 813,000 legal long-term migrants to the UK in 2025 (ie, people who intend to stay). That’s down from almost 1.5 million in 2023, but is it still too high? And what happens when all these people become eligible for “indefinite leave to remain”, which allows them to claim benefits and use the NHS in more or less the same way as UK citizens?
The current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has some pretty bold answers.
She is making asylum status temporary, so that even if you are granted asylum, you can be told to leave 30 months later if your home country is now deemed to be safe.
And she wants legal immigrants to wait twice as long before they can claim indefinite leave to remain.
Many Labour MPs are furious with her. They bitterly oppose the plans.
Where does Mr Burnham stand? Nobody knows.
The former Greater Manchester mayor delivered a speech this morning setting out some of his plans for Government. And he spoke in detail about the economy, but said nothing about immigration.
In fact, he used the words “Manchester” or “Manchesterism” ten times - but didn’t mention immigration once.
There are all sorts of rumours about Mr Burnham’s plans. Some people think he might sack Ms Mahmood. Others think he might make her Chancellor.
And there are reports Mr Burnham will demand she water down her proposals if she wants to keep her job.
But all he would say today is this: “While the political direction I set is not up for negotiation, I will build an inclusive team at the very highest level so that all parts of the party - and the country - can see themselves reflected and represented in it.
“And, may I say, I will not announce those decisions on appointments – certainly not today – and indeed not until the end of this process so, until then, feel free to discount the wild speculation in circulation.”
Unless he has some answers soon on one of the biggest issues facing the UK today, Mr Farage will continue to run rings around Labour.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
