Andy Burnham fears dividing Labour if he pushes ahead with Ed Miliband as Chancellor.
The outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester has put himself forward for the Labour leadership in hopes of reviving the party’s sinking popularity.
However, sources close to the Makerfield MP claim he is worried about splitting the party in two, mirroring the conflict between Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Allies have warned Mr Burnham that Mr Miliband would risk a huge internal split, according to the Telegraph.
The minister for Energy Security and Net Zero has been widely criticised for implementing expensive green policies and a radical left-wing fiscal agenda when he was leader.
Mr Burnham is said to be extremely concerned with appointing a chancellor with economic priorities different from his own.
The decision remains “50/50”, according to the publication.
They said: “Andy himself is alert to the issue. He’s alert to the dangers of that appointment. You are basically handing over control, and you’ll never get it back.”
Andy Burnham fears dividing Labour if he pushes ahead with Ed Miliband as Chancellor
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Kemi Badenoch publicly criticised Mr Miliband in Prime Minister’s Questions today, calling him a “failed leader rejected by the country”.
She told the Commons: “Does the Prime Minister think that this treachery should be rewarded by being appointed chancellor?”
Mrs Badenoch accused Ms Reeves of “abandoning” Prime Minister Keir Starmer following his recent resignation announcement.
The Tory leader claimed that Reeves had “let Starmer down” and spent much of the session targeting the Chancellor’s economic track record and loyalty.
Kemi Badenoch publicly criticised Mr Miliband in Prime Minister’s Questions today
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However, Mr Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer held a secret face-to-face talk yesterday afternoon to discuss the future of the party, GB News understands.
It comes as the outgoing Prime Minister pledged a “smooth transition” of power following his resignation on Monday morning.
It is understood the Prime Minister met Mr Burnham – the frontrunner to replace him in No10 – for the first time since the former Greater Manchester Mayor’s by-election victory.
The pair reportedly held an hour-long “off-site” discussion, not in Downing Street.
The outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester has put himself forward for the Labour leadership in hopes of reviving the party’s popularity
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The Prime Minister has already authorised access talks between Whitehall officials and his would-be successors, including Mr Burnham, who could become prime minister by mid-July if no contest is enacted by other members.
The Prime Minister told his Cabinet he wanted an “orderly transition”, and insisted he would try to make the process “as easy as possible” for his successor.
Downing Street also said no “major” new policy decisions or spending pledges would be made in the coming weeks.
They added that Sir Keir would agree priorities with Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo in the coming days.
