It took more than four hours, nine brutal sackings of Sir Keir Starmer’s allies and a conversation with Donald Trump before we got the first hint of Andy Burnham’s much anticipated pick for Chancellor.
It was around 5pm when the Cabinet reshuffle got underway with John Healey arriving in Downing Street in a clear sign he was on his way to the Treasury in a move that took Westminster by surprise.
It followed days of briefing that the Prime Minister had made up his mind to appoint Shabana Mahmood to the Treasury, triggering a backlash from the Labour left who had long been expecting Burnham ally Ed Miliband.
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Instead, Miliband and Mahmood arrived in Downing Street after Healey, walking to No 10’s famous black door together in a show of unity.
