Louise Haigh
Andy Burnham is anticipated to pursue the Labour leadership following his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election. Should Burnham secure the position of prime minister, several MPs and advisers are expected to assume significant roles within his administration.
Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary, was the first cabinet minister under Sir Keir Starmer to resign after it was revealed in November 2024 that she had a prior fraud conviction before entering Parliament. Since moving to the backbenches, Haigh has become an influential figure within Labour's "soft left" faction and played a central role in the substantial rebellion that thwarted the government's welfare cuts in 2025.
Haigh has been a key participant in Burnham's Makerfield campaign, spending considerable time in the constituency, and is considered a strong candidate for a senior cabinet position.
Anneliese Midgley
Anneliese Midgley has served as the MP for Knowsley, near Makerfield, since 2024 but has been an influential presence in the Labour movement for a longer period. Her experience includes working in Sir Keir Starmer's office during opposition, as well as roles at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Unite, and within former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's team.
Midgley is regarded as a plausible contender for chief whip or political secretary in Downing Street, a role typically not held by an elected MP.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned from her position as junior minister for communities following the May elections. Unlike many who left the government at that time, she is aligned with Labour's soft left rather than its right wing. Since her resignation, Fahnbulleh has been developing policy proposals for a potential Burnham government. Her background includes civil service and leadership of the New Economics Foundation think tank.
Josh Simons
Josh Simons, who relinquished his parliamentary seat to enable Burnham's candidacy, was commended by Burnham for his "selflessness" during a speech to supporters on Friday morning. Simons has contributed to Burnham's policy team, despite differing ideological views from Fahnbulleh.
Simons' political trajectory has been rapid and varied: he worked for and later parted ways with Jeremy Corbyn, led a pro-Starmer think tank, became an MP and minister, and resigned amid allegations concerning his conduct at the think tank. He is considered a likely appointee to a role within a Burnham-led Downing Street.
Kate Green
Kate Green currently serves as Burnham's deputy mayor for policing and crime. She has been actively consulting MPs to gauge their views on the priorities of a Burnham government and is viewed as a potential candidate for a Downing Street position.
Prior to her current role, which she assumed in 2023, Green was an MP for 12 years, including time in Sir Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet.
Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee, Burnham's closest adviser, managed his initial Labour leadership campaign in 2010, advised him during his tenure as shadow health secretary, and has overseen his mayoral office since 2017. Lee is widely expected to hold a significant role in a Burnham administration.
Lucy Powell
Lucy Powell, the independently elected deputy leader of Labour, holds a substantial role irrespective of the party leader. Currently, she is not a cabinet member and thus influences party affairs rather than government policy. This is anticipated to change if Burnham becomes prime minister, as the two have collaborated closely for years, with Powell representing a Manchester constituency.
Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband, who won the Labour leadership in 2010 when Burnham placed fourth, initially positioned himself to Miliband's right. Over time, both have aligned in advocating for a more interventionist state.
There is considerable suspicion within Sir Keir Starmer's circle regarding Miliband's conduct as energy secretary in recent months, with beliefs that he has been supporting Burnham covertly. Miliband is thought to aspire to the chancellor role, having advised Gordon Brown at the Treasury during the New Labour era.
Heidi Alexander
Only four MPs remain who supported Burnham's leadership bid in 2010; Heidi Alexander, now transport secretary, is among them. She also backed Burnham in the 2015 leadership contest, which he entered as the frontrunner, and is likely to be considered for a prominent position should he win.
Neal Lawson
Neal Lawson, a veteran figure on Labour's progressive left and founder of the pressure group Compass, has also been a leading member of Mainstream, an organization generally aligned with Burnham. However, his views on electoral reform and alliances between progressive parties may not align fully with others in Burnham's circle, making it uncertain whether he will receive a formal role.
Lord O'Neill and Richard Hughes
In preparation for his potential premiership, Burnham has consulted senior advisers, particularly on economic matters, in the days before his Makerfield by-election victory. To signal readiness to implement national policy and assure market stability, he has sought advice from Lord O'Neill, a former Treasury minister and economist.
Additionally, Richard Hughes, former chairman of the Office of Budget Responsibility who resigned following an IT leak of Budget information, has also provided counsel to Burnham.
