Burnham Expected to Reshuffle Top Cabinet Roles as Labour Leadership Transition Accelerates
By Perez Karisa, June 24, 2026
The BBC reports that if Andy Burnham assumes the role of prime minister, he is expected to appoint a new chancellor, replacing Rachel Reeves while offering her a more junior position within the cabinet.
The reported plan follows the sudden resignation of Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week, a development that has positioned the newly elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham as the frontrunner and likely successor in the Labour Party leadership contest.
According to BBC sources, Burnham’s allies have indicated that while he maintains strong respect for Reeves and is keen for her to remain within his top team, he intends to appoint a close political ally to head the Treasury at Number 11 Downing Street.
A formal spokesperson for Burnham, however, cautioned that no final decisions on cabinet appointments have been made, emphasizing that discussions on the structure of a potential administration are still ongoing.
Within Westminster circles, speculation is already mounting over possible replacements for the chancellor role, with former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emerging as the leading contenders.
The leadership transition has also been shaped by developments within the Labour Party, with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones publicly ruling himself out of the leadership race and declaring his support for Burnham, saying there is little need for a contested internal process.
Political observers note that if no rival candidates emerge by the opening of nominations on July 9, Burnham could formally assume the premiership as early as July 16 or 17, pending the internal party process.
Separately, reports suggest Burnham is considering appointing former cabinet minister James Purnell as his Downing Street chief of staff, a move seen as part of efforts to strengthen his administrative team ahead of a potential transition into government.
The developments mark a rapidly evolving political landscape within the Labour Party, with key leadership and economic positions expected to be reshaped in the coming weeks.
