John Healey’s elevation to the second most important job in government has delighted senior figures in the Ministry of Defence, who are relieved to have someone in the Treasury who is committed to increasing military spending.
“It’s brilliant for us,” said an insider.
Yet the same MOD source is also relieved Healey is not returning.
“We were dreading him coming back”, they said. “He’s a difficult person”.
Even some senior Conservatives think Healey’s appointment as chancellor was clever. “For a number of reasons”, explains one former Tory cabinet minister.
“He’s not Ed Miliband, he’s hard to attack, and he’s Treasury-literate.” Healey served as a minister in the department for five years during Tony Blair’s premiership.
Burnham ally Anneliese Midgeley has the difficult task of trying to keep Labour MPs – including those sacked as ministers – loyal to the government.
Former chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones’s public swipe at Burnham’s energy bills policy is a sign not all will play nice.
One Labour MP claims that those sacked by Burnham can be divided into three groups.
“Some went because of their politics, others just weren’t good, and then there are those disliked in the parliamentary Labour party,” said the MP.
Behind the scenes, many in Westminster are talking about the possibility of Burnham taking advantage of a possible bounce in the opinion polls and calling a snap general election.
Nigel Farage wants one and argues it is necessary since Burnham has no mandate.
But with the Reform leader facing both a by-election and questions over his finances, some in his party worry that if Burnham moves too fast, Farage could miss his one great chance to become PM.
“We are really worried about a snap election,” said the Reform source, grinning.
“Which is why we’re calling for a snap election.”