Starmer holds talks with Burnham as he seeks ‘orderly’ transition
Sir Keir Starmer held talks with Andy Burnham early on Tuesday in a bid to ensure an “orderly” transition of power after announcing he was stepping down as prime minister.
The pair have met for the first time since Burnham won last week’s Makerfield by-election.
In an hour long meeting First reported in the Times, externalIt comes as Sir Keir granted access to meetings with civil servants in a bid to prepare potential Labor leadership candidates for government.
Burnham is the only candidate to emerge so far and could become prime minister as early as July 17 if she does not face an opponent.
If Burnham becomes prime minister… As first reported by the Financial Times, external – He is expected to offer a lower- or mid-level cabinet position to Rachel Reeves.
A close ally of Burnham told the BBC: “Andy really respects Rachel and I’m sure he would want her in a top team.”
Reeves’ team has been contacted for comment.
It is unclear who will replace Reeves as Chancellor; Standouts include Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting, John Healey and Yvette Cooper.
Burnham is also expected to appoint former Labor Cabinet Secretary James Purnell as Downing Street chief of staff, according to two close allies of the Makerfield MP.
Purnell served as culture secretary and work and pensions secretary under Gordon Brown between 2007 and 2009.
After standing down as an MP for Greater Manchester in 2010, he worked as a senior executive at the BBC, as a university vice-chancellor and, most recently, as managing director of lobbying and strategy firm Flint Global.
