Discussion around Burnham’s team is ramping up since Guido revealed a possible No10 staffing structure in an Andy premiership. It’s not just going to be him you know…
Some Labour sources speculate that Sue Gray, the erstwhile No10 Chief of Staff, could take up a role in a Burnham government. Gray and the Manchester mayor worked closely together and Burnham was full of praise for her long after she left government:
Burnham recently went campaigning with Gray’s son, the Labour MP Liam Conlon, in London. Conlon, while serving as a PPS, said he supported Burnham’s return to Westminster. He was seen canvassing with Burnham and Lucy Powell on 17th May, three days ago. Curious…
The Manchester mayor has kept up his strong focus on maximum devolution during this by-election so far. Sue, now Baroness Gray of Tottenham, could enjoy an advising or even ministerial role in a new administration looking to drive this and other more radical changes through. After all there is revenge to extract. Make sure you pay her enough, though…
Tom Baldwin, author of Starmer’s hagiography, spoke to Times Radio:
Tom Baldwin: “I think he’d like to do something. He’s very dutiful and driven by service. That’s why he came into politics. I think that’s characterised his time as prime minister. He hasn’t always sought popularity or been good at being popular. But I think he has some of the necessary qualities that we actually do want in a prime minister. That resilience, that relentlessness, that ability to carry the weight and the job really does weigh very heavily on people and he carries that weight very, very well.”
Jo Coburn: “NATO Secretary-General?”
Tom Baldwin: “I think that’s something that he would be interested in. I think it probably requires Andy Burnham’s government to support him in that and these are some of the questions which Andy Burnham has to resolve quite quickly.”