Andy Burnham has settled on his first big staff pick, and it is a name from the Blair and Brown era. The Guardian understands he has chosen James Purnell, the former work and pensions secretary, as his chief of staff.
Nothing is final. Purnell has signalled he will take the job but is understood to be negotiating terms. The Guardian called it one of the most significant decisions Burnham, the Makerfield MP, has made since returning to Westminster. If it goes through, Purnell becomes the first major appointment to a putative Burnham government and his right-hand man in Downing Street.
Old colleagues
The two met as new MPs from the north-west and shared an office in their early years in parliament. Burnham used to joke that when news broke, Purnell got the calls from Radio 4 and he got the calls from 5 Live. Both served as culture secretary.
Purnell made his name as a young minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. In 2009, after that year’s local elections, he quit as work and pensions secretary in an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Brown. He later became director of strategy at the BBC, and in 2024 took over as chief executive of the lobbying firm Flint Global. After Labour lost the 2010 election he was offered the job of chief of staff to Ed Miliband as opposition leader and turned it down.
The cabinet jostle
Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, re-entered parliament this week. He is expected to become prime minister next month after winning the support of his likeliest rival, Wes Streeting.
Labour figures are still arguing over senior posts, above all chancellor. Many around Burnham want Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, in the job, though others warn that would anger the business community and some unions. Those on the party’s right say Streeting would be the safer choice, able to reassure the bond markets while Burnham pursues some of his more radical policies.
Later criticism
The appointment later drew fire from pro-Palestinian activists. TRT World reported in August, less than a month into Burnham’s time as prime minister, that Purnell’s chairmanship of Labour Friends of Israel from 2002 to 2004 had angered critics. Jonathan Purcell, a deputy leader of the Greens on Tower Hamlets Council, said: “If that isn’t a demonstration of where he stands on this issue, then I don’t know what is.” Purnell’s past as chief executive of Flint Global, a registered lobbyist, was also criticised.
Burnham had apologised for Labour’s initial response to Gaza ten days before taking office, saying the party “didn’t get it right.” He told the Guardian he would press the Israeli government harder, including through further sanctions on individuals and entities.
Sources
- Andy Burnham picks former Blair minister James Purnell as chief of staff
- TRT World – British PM Andy Burnham faces pro-Palestinian backlash over chief of staff appointment
