With the Makerfield by-election just days away, conversation in Westminster is already turning to what an Andy Burnham government would look like if the Greater Manchester mayor claims victory and then ousts Sir Keir Starmer from Downing Street.
Perhaps the biggest early decision for Burnham would be who he picks as his chancellor.
Given Burnham has chosen to rail against 40 years of “neoliberalism” during the by-election campaign, there was an early assumption that the second most important job in government would go to a member of the party’s “soft left”, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband seen as the leading candidate.
Shorts
This was bolstered by a widespread belief in Labour circles that Miliband has been lending behind-the-scenes support to Burnham, with one of the Energy Secretary’s special advisers seconded to the Makerfield campaign in a communications role.
