Chris Mason: Cull of Starmer allies as new chancellor faces crunching spending choices
BBC News 2026-07-21 05:30:45
Context: A significant cabinet reshuffle has taken place in the UK government, with Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister, accompanied by the appointment of John Healey as chancellor. This reshuffle follows the departure of the previous prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and has resulted in several key ministers being removed from their positions, including those close to Starmer. The new cabinet will face significant spending choices, particularly with Healey having expressed critical views on the Treasury's approach to defense and growth.
Key Facts
- The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and his senior ministers will make early policy announcements, with Burnham pledging to give people "breathing space" to help with the cost of living.
- John Healey, the newly appointed chancellor, previously served as a minister in the Treasury for five years between 2002 and 2007, and has expressed a desire for reindustrialisation and devolution.
- Healey, in his previous role as defence secretary, had criticised the Treasury's approach, stating that it saw "defence as a drain rather than a driver of growth" and advocating for a 3% of GDP target for defence spending by 2030.
- The cabinet reshuffle has resulted in the removal of several ministers close to the former prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, including David Lammy, Darren Jones, Peter Kyle, Lord Hermer, Steve Reed, and Rachel Reeves, who was offered but turned down a cabinet post.
- Burnham's new cabinet will meet for the first time at lunchtime, following a nocturnal affair that saw ministerial appointments confirmed late on Monday night, with some waiting in a minibus outside Downing Street until their positions were confirmed.