Andy Burnham’s “Race for Jobs”: Labour Ministers Jockey for Future Cabinet Posts Ahead of Makerfield By-Election

Andy Burnham, former Greater Manchester mayor, re-entered national politics by standing in the Makerfield by-election. His 2015 Labour leadership bid ended with Chancellor Rachel Reeves among his early supporters; relations later soured after Reeves’s “hair-dryer treatment” comment on bond-market concerns. Burnham’s candidacy now triggers a “full-scale ‘race for jobs’” among senior Labour figures as they anticipate a possible leadership win and the power to shape a new cabinet.

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Senior ministers are making constituency visits to Makerfield, seeking to secure future roles should Burnham become Labour leader. Sources describe a strategic calculus: “if they go and he wins they will get a plum job… if they don’t go and he wins, he will remember. And if they don’t go and he loses, he will remember.” The scramble includes speculation about Ed Miliband as chancellor, Lucy Powell as deputy prime minister, and potential reshuffles affecting David Lammy, Lord Hermer, and Shabana Mahmood.

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• Ed Miliband – Energy Secretary, likely candidate for chancellor; his adviser is already seconded to Burnham’s campaign.

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• Lucy Powell – Deputy Labour leader, widely expected to become deputy prime minister.

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• Angela Rayner, Lisa Nandy, Louise Haigh – Identified as possible recipients of top posts.

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• Shabana Mahmood – Home Secretary, reportedly wishes to retain her portfolio.

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• David Lammy – Deputy prime minister and justice secretary, faces possible removal after controversy over jury-trial restrictions.

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• Lord Hermer – Seen as too close to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, likely to be ousted.

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• Early May 2024 – Burnham selected as Labour candidate for Makerfield.

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• Mid-May 2024 – Senior ministers begin Makerfield visits; speculation about cabinet line-up intensifies.

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• Late May 2024 – Burnham’s spokesperson outlines a door-to-door campaign focus, rejecting London-based media.

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• Early June 2024 – By-election campaign enters final phase; potential appointments remain unconfirmed.

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A Burnham spokesperson said: “Andy doesn’t want to speaking to the London-based media, he wants to speaking to the people of Makerfield.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer is not expected to intervene directly, citing a long-standing convention against sitting PMs campaigning in by-elections.

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David Lammy has been criticised for limiting jury trials, prompting a heated exchange with MP Karl Turner, who warned, “Not long now Dave. You’ll be gone soon.” Sources also note Lord Hermer’s perceived loyalty to Starmer as a liability, and some insiders doubt the efficacy of the jockeying, suggesting Burnham wants a “different” campaign focused on grassroots door-knocking.

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Frontbenchers are expected to engage in door-to-door canvassing rather than media tours, reflecting Burnham’s stated priority to discuss “local issues” with Makerfield voters.

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No official confirmation exists regarding the exact cabinet composition; reports of Miliband’s chancellorship and Powell’s deputy-prime-minister role remain speculative. The timeline for any appointments after a potential Burnham victory is unclear.

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• “If they don’t go and he wins, he will remember. And if they don’t go and he loses, he will remember.” — Senior Labour source

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• “A spokesperson for Burnham said: “Andy doesn’t want to be speaking to the London-based media, he wants to be speaking to the people of Makerfield.” — Burnham spokesperson

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• “Not long now Dave. You’ll be gone soon.” — Karl Turner, Labour MP

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• “He knows some of those conversations will be tough, but he understands that it’s the Labour that has moved rather than them and he wants to take the party back to where it used to be.” — Source describing Burnham’s ambition

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The outcome of the Makerfield by-election and any subsequent cabinet reshuffle could reshape Labour’s policy direction, influence internal power balances, and signal the party’s strategic priorities ahead of the next general election.

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The Makerfield by-election is slated for early June 2024. Post-election, Burnham is expected to announce his preferred cabinet lineup, potentially confirming or revising the speculative appointments outlined above.

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