Yvette Cooper has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor as Ed Miliband’s hopes of securing the Treasury hang in the balance, The i Paper has learned.
With less than a week until Andy Burnham unveils his first Cabinet, the battle for the second most powerful job in government has intensified amid growing speculation that Reeves will be moved out of the Treasury into a lesser role.
As The i Paper exclusively revealed last month, Miliband is prepared to soften his stance on North Sea gas drilling to smooth his path to No 11 after fierce criticism from trade unions and business leaders over Labour’s energy policy.
The choice of Chancellor will likely be fundamental to the success or failure of Burnham’s government, with no final decision thought to be yet taken. Choosing a Cabinet is also a key test for Burnham, as he tries to fill posts with the most competent ministers, but also ensure he keeps the various factions of the Labour Party happy, as well has his allies in government.
Moving Cooper to the Treasury would open up the job of Foreign Secretary, potentially leading to a cascade of changes, which is why the line up is unlikely to be finalised until the hours before Burnham takes over as PM – as is all but likely.
Miliband still fighting for the job
Allies say the Energy Secretary has signaled he is prepared to approve drilling at the Jackdaw gas field when the Government’s consultation concludes next month.
If approved, it would become the first new North Sea gas field to receive consent in almost a decade.Supporters argue the project could produce enough gas to heat more than one million homes while supplying around six per cent of the UK’s gas demand at peak production.
The apparent shift has reportedly angered allies of Sir Keir Starmer, who claim they had been urging Miliband for months to back the project.
But despite the lobbying campaign mounted by Miliband’s supporters, sources close to Burnham insist the Energy Secretary is still “not nailed on” for the Treasury.
Instead, Cooper has emerged as the latest senior figure under consideration, amid claims Burnham is increasingly attracted to the idea of appointing another woman as Chancellor.
Under Starmer, the three great offices of state -Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary – were simultaneously held by women for the first time in British history.
Burnham is also said to be under pressure from senior Labour women to ensure that women occupy at least half of the most senior positions in his new administration.
Keeping a woman at the Treasury would therefore carry both political and symbolic significance, allowing Burnham to argue he is building on rather than rolling back Labour’s recent progress on female representation at the top of government.
Other possible Cabinet picks
Elsewhere, Shabana Mahmood is widely expected to remain Home Secretary, while Wes Streeting and David Miliband are among those being considered for Foreign Secretary. David Miliband would need to be given a peerage in order to take a role in government, as he is not currently an mP.
Reeves, meanwhile, is understood to be in line for a different Cabinet post, with Culture Secretary and Health Secretary both being discussed as possible destinations.
Lucy Powell is expected to become Deputy Prime Minister while also taking either the Education brief or the role of Labour Party Chair.
Former transport secretary Louise Haigh is thought to be in line to become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, while Angela Rayner is set to return to Housing. Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, is tipped to become Chief Whip.
Annalise Midgley, who worked alongside Haigh on Burnham’s successful Makerfield by-election campaign, is also widely expected to secure a Cabinet role.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, a junior minister first elected in 2024, has been linked with Chief Secretary to the Treasury, while Lisa Nandy is also expected to remain around the Cabinet table.
Yet for all the frenetic briefing and jockeying behind the scenes, the shape of Burnham’s first Cabinet remains one of Westminster’s best-kept secrets. While allies, ministers and MPs continue to trade competing claims over who is up, who is down and who is in contention, much of it amounts to little more than an elaborate fantasy Cabinet.
In reality, only Burnham and his incoming chief of staff, James Purnell, are thought to know who is genuinely in line to make the final cut.
A source said: “The details of Burnham’s first Cabinet is being so closely guarded virtually no-one knows exactly how it’s going to shake-out. Even those who are getting jobs haven’t been specifically told. There could yet be some surprises, but it is fair to say that Andy is very keen to ensure it is gender balanced.”
Hence then, the article about the unlikely new favourite to replace reeves and it s not miliband was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The unlikely new favourite to replace Reeves… and it’s not Miliband )
Also on site :
- How US commerce secretary's Epstein links were uncovered by British whistleblower
- Kendra Scott’s ‘Stunning’ $53 Adjustable Bracelet at Amazon ‘Goes With Everyday Outfits’ and Comes in 32 Styles
- Coffee Mate Brings Back Harry Potter Creamers With Magical New Flavor Fans Are Dying to Get Their Hands On