Burnham’s entourage! Woman who founded the Ed Miliband fan club when she was a teenager accompanies PM-to-be on triumphant train ride

He was a superfan of Ed Miliband, once describing the Net Zero fighter as his ‘idol’.

But now Abby Tomlinson appears to be at the forefront of Andy Burnham’s team, with the former Manchester mayor set to become the next Prime Minister.

University graduate was seen pulling a wheeled bag with himnewly elected Makerfield MP’s name written on it While boarding a train to London.

On arrival in the capital, Ms Tomlinson was seen sitting in the back of a black taxi with Mr Burnham, who was heading to Westminster to be sworn in as an MP.

Miss Tomlinson Keir StarmerHe was the former Special Counsel of and launched the viral online ‘Milifandom’ in 2015 at the age of 17.

He met his hero that year when he felt he had exceeded Mr Miliband’s “very high” expectations.

The duo, who had lunch together, was seen taking a selfie in front of the Parliament building.

Such was his love for the former Labor leader that he admitted how he could not sleep the night Mr Miliband lost the general election in 2015.

‘“I don’t know when I’ll get over that sick, empty feeling in my stomach, that feeling of loss when I think about what could have been,” he said. Written in May 2015.

‘Ed Miliband was the best prime minister we never had.’

But these days his attention is on the Prime Minister candidate; The X account is full of videos and posts of Mr Burnham on the campaign trail during the Makerfield by-election.

Ms Tomlinson had previously interviewed Mr Burnham for her YouTube channel Westminster Abby and called herself “Fandy” when she backed him to become Labor leader ahead of Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms Tomlinson was 17 when she met her ‘idol’ Ed Miliband in 2015 and started the ‘Milifandom’ movement that year.

Ms Tomlinson is Keir Starmer’s former Special Adviser, but these days her attention is on the Prime Minister candidate; The X account is full of videos and reposts of Mr Burnham on the campaign trail during the Makerfield by-election.

Ms Tomlinson graduated from the University of York with a bachelor’s degree in social and political science in 2019 and led Labour’s ‘organic content team’ during the party’s election campaign.

He was appointed head of digital before becoming Sir Keir’s SPAD (Special Adviser) in January 2025 for an eight-month role, according to LinkedIn.

When they arrived at their destination in London, Mr Burnham exited the taxi behind long-time Labor Party staffer Grace Pritchard, who had previously worked for Mr Miliband, while Ms Tomlinson remained seated in the back of the taxi.

Pritchard is thought to be in the running to be Burnham’s press secretary.

Others vying for a place on Mr Burnham’s team include Manchester councilor Angela Moran, who was spotted walking with him at Manchester Piccadilly railway station today.

He is the Labor representative for Northenden, Benchill and Northern Moor on Manchester City Council. He serves as the Executive Board Member responsible for Finance and Resources.

Josh Simons, who left his Makerfield seat to make way for Mr Burnham, could also be rewarded with a role at No 10.

Mr Burnham today dodged questions about whether he would trigger a snap general election.

He eventually changed into a suit rather than his branded T-shirt and jeans and was applauded when he arrived at the House of Commons to be officially sworn in as an MP.

He swore an oath on the Bible, pledging allegiance to the king. And Labor MPs later gathered in Westminster Hall for a group selfie; Among them was the odd-looking Rachel Reeves, but not Starmer.

Earlier in the day, Mr Burnham was criticized for his previous calls for a national poll to replace Conservative Party leaders.

Asked whether he would stand by that commitment if he succeeds Sir Keir, he shouted: ‘You’ve got a lot of hoops ahead of you.’

Mr Burnham arrived in London in a black taxi, accompanied by Ms Tomlinson (right) and Grace Pritchard (left), a long-time Labor Party staffer who is thought to be in line to become press secretary.

Josh Simons, who left his Makerfield seat to make way for Mr Burnham, could also be in 10th place.

Manchester city councilor Angela Moran was also spotted walking alongside Mr Burnham as she set off for London from the city’s Piccadilly railway station today.

In a moment of political drama this morning, the Prime Minister announced his resignation in a speech outside Downing Street.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting later announced he would not seek Labour’s top job and instead threw his weight behind Mr Burnham.

The announcement makes it much more likely that the former Manchester mayor will be in 10th place by this time next month.

Streeting claimed he had secured the 81 nominations needed from Labor MPs for a full contest, but it is not yet clear whether other candidates will pass the threshold.

Work continues on who will be in Mr Burnham’s cabinet as he moves closer to taking over from Sir Keir following his dramatic victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The Chancellor’s role will be critical as Ms Reeves’ lobbying efforts to remain in office appear to be unsuccessful. Some in the Labor Party are concerned that Ed Miliband, whose views are perceived as ‘Soviet’, could win approval.

Yvette Cooper is seen as another option to leave the State Department.

Angela Rayner is also tipped for a major role, while former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh, who helped run the Makerfield campaign, is set to make a comeback.