Andy Burnham Rethinks Ed Miliband Chancellor Prospect Amid North Sea Energy Debate

Andy Burnham, newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield, is reportedly reconsidering his plan to appoint Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as chancellor if he becomes prime minister. Sources say the decision hinges on Miliband’s support for Labour’s pledge to halt new North Sea oil and gas licences, a stance viewed as politically problematic in constituencies such as Makerfield.

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Labour’s manifesto pledges “no new oil and gas licences” in the North Sea, a policy championed by Miliband. Voters facing rising energy bills criticize the pledge, arguing that existing offshore resources are under-utilised. A senior Labour source said constituents “are watching their bills go up and cannot understand why we are not using the resources we already have in the North Sea.”

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• Andy Burnham – Labour MP for Makerfield and prospective prime ministerial candidate.

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• Ed Miliband – Energy Secretary, favoured by party members but opposed to new North Sea licences.

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• Rachel Reeves – Current chancellor, originally expected to be succeeded by Miliband in Burnham’s initial plan.

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Other potential chancellor candidates mentioned include Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, former health secretary Wes Streeting and former defence secretary John Healey.

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Proponents say new drilling could create jobs, raise tax revenue and heat over a million homes, while providing a more secure energy supply than imported LNG. Analysts note UK energy prices remain largely set by global markets.

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Burnham said he has not formed a definitive view on the North Sea issue and is “listening to what people are saying about that.” Party insiders say appointing Miliband could be “problematic” and that Miliband would need to back the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields to remain viable for chancellor.

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Voters cite rising household bills and a perceived inaction on domestic energy resources, with Makerfield highlighted as a hotspot of anger over the North Sea licence freeze.

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Sources disagree on whether new drilling would lower UK energy prices; supporters cite security and affordability, while analysts point to global market dynamics.

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• “He [Burnham] knows it would be problematic.” — Senior Labour source

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• “People are watching their bills go up and cannot understand why we are not using the resources we already have in the North Sea. People are really angry about it – especially in places like the Makerfield constituency,” — Senior Labour source

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• “I am not saying that I have completely made a view, actually, on the North Sea issue. I am listening to what people are saying about that.” — Andy Burnham, Labour MP

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• “I am not saying that I have completely made a view, actually, on the North Sea issue. I am listening to what people are saying about that.” — Andy Burnham, Labour MP

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Burnham is expected to be sworn in as Makerfield’s MP on Monday and will soon shape his cabinet, with the chancellor appointment and North Sea licence stance set to dominate upcoming Labour leadership discussions.

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