The key figures in Andy Burnham's inner circle
BBC News 2026-06-19 14:06:15
Context: Andy Burnham, the former transport secretary and current MP for Makerfield, is expected to seek the Labour leadership after his recent by-election victory. If successful, several key figures in his inner circle are likely to be given important roles in his government. These individuals include MPs and advisers who have been instrumental in his campaign and have a strong background in Labour politics.
Key Facts
- Liz McKeown, a crucial power broker on Labour's "soft left," has been a major figure in Burnham's Makerfield campaign and is in line for a big cabinet job, having previously emerged as a key player in the huge rebellion that scuppered the government's welfare cuts in 2025.
- Yasmin Fahnbulleh, a junior minister for communities who resigned after the May elections, has been working on policy ideas for a potential Burnham government and is from Labour's soft left, having previously worked as a civil servant and ran the New Economics Foundation think tank.
- Steve Simons, who gave up his seat for Burnham and was praised for his "selflessness," has been helping Team Burnham on policy and is seen as a likely candidate for a role in a Burnham Downing Street, despite having a different ideological background to Fahnbulleh.
- Louise Green, Burnham's deputy mayor for policing and crime, has been canvassing MPs about their opinions on what a Burnham government should do and is seen as a possible candidate for a role in Downing Street, having previously been an MP for 12 years, including a stint in Sir Keir's shadow cabinet.
- Burnham's closest adviser, Lee, who has been running his mayoral office since 2017, is a dead cert for a role in a Burnham Downing Street, having previously advised Burnham on his Labour leadership campaign in 2010 and when he was shadow health secretary.