Jitters across Whitehall as Burnham refuses to name his new cabinet

RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Andy Capp's playing Fantasy Football politics in a very undemocratic coupSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 23:05 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 00:06 BST, 7 July 2026

Andy Burnham risks becoming the 'worst prepared Prime Minister in recent history' after refusing to reveal ministers for his expected Cabinet.The would–be PM has for the past week been holding talks with civil servants about his plans in power.But Whitehall sources said the discussions are being hampered by the small size of Mr Burnham's top team.Mr Burnham and his key aides have been holding talks with Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo focused on key issues such as national security and the economy, as well as his push for greater devolution of power.But the lack of a wider team means so–called 'access talks' between would–be ministers and their prospective departments are not yet taking place, despite the expectation that the Makerfield MP will become Prime Minister in just two weeks. One Whitehall source told the Daily Mail: 'At this point ahead of an election you would normally have access talks going on across government to ensure a smooth transition of power. But there is no–one for most departments to talk to. Even when we have had changes of leaders between elections, the new PM has always been someone who was recently in the Cabinet.'There is a danger that we end up with a new PM who has less preparation than any of his recent predecessors.' Andy Burnham risks becoming the 'worst prepared Prime Minister in recent history' after refusing to reveal ministers for his expected Cabinet. He is seen on Monday out for a stroll Labour MP Angela Rayner seen in central London in an England Shirt with the number two on itThe warning came as ministers continued to jockey for a position in Mr Burnham's new regime.Angela Rayner became the latest senior figure to change her mind on a key policy in an apparent bid to curry favour with Mr Burnham, a long–term advocate of changing the voting system. The former deputy prime minister, for long an opponent of electoral reform, on Monday suggested she was now open to the idea.Mr Burnham has expressed an interest in changing the electoral system to a form of proportional representation, allowing smaller parties – such as the Greens – to have more of a say depending on their share of the vote. Ms Rayner previously described herself as a 'first–past–the–post girl'. But on Monday she told LBC: 'Some recent conversations have been about governments that get in with very low vote shares and people's frustration about politics. They don't feel represented.'For the first time since I've been an MP this feels like a siren call from the voters. Things change when ordinary people say, we demand change. 'From the grassroots there is that level of consensus that we cannot carry on with the system we have.' Keir Starmer authorised the civil service to begin access talks with Mr Burnham last week. But so far they have largely involved only Mr Burnham, his chief–of–staff James Purnell and former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh.One Labour figure told the Financial Times the process was being held back by Mr Burnham's 'skeletal' team. Mr Burnham is on course to become PM on July 20 after potential challengers faded away. But he has said he will not name his top team until he is safely in Downing Street.Last week Mr Burnham insisted he had not even picked his Chancellor. Ed Miliband is pushing for the job despite opposition from business, the trade unions and many Labour MPs.Last week, Sir Keir's former chief–of–staff Morgan McSweeney blamed lack of preparation for Labour's faltering start in government after the election.