Andy Burnham is considering keeping Rachel Reeves as Chancellor if he becomes prime minister after lobbying from MPs, who back her as the only candidate to safeguard the country’s finances, The i Paper has learned.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has been told by Labour MPs that he will have to retain her in order not to spook the markets. They compare the situation with Liz Truss appointing Jeremy Hunt, who was known as a “safe pair of hands”, to stabilise the economy after her disastrous mini-Budget.
Some allies believe he has already made up his mind to do so – even though it could mean Reeves might have to rip up much of her economic programme.
Shorts
However, other MPs claim it would be “utterly ridiculous” to allow her to continue, given her unpopularity after raising taxes, the winter fuel allowance debacle, and weak economic growth.
