Andy Burnham makes bombshell Cabinet appointment | Politics | News

Andy Burnham appointed John Healey as Chancellor in a bombshell appointment on Monday. The new Prime Minister sacked Rachel Reeves and gave the former Defense Secretary the senior Treasury post.

Mr Healey, who left Sir Keir Starmer’s Government last month in a major move over lack of funding for the armed forces, said it was “the greatest privilege” to take on the new role. In his statement published on X, he added: “Together we will build a new economy, new hopes and move the working people of this country forward. Now is the time to get to work.”

Mr Burnham sacked many of his predecessor’s closest allies as part of a major Cabinet purge hours after he became Prime Minister.

Former Energy Minister Ed Miliband was appointed as Foreign Minister, while Shabana Mahmood continued as Home Affairs Minister.

Both had been touted as top candidates to become Chancellor.

Ms Mahmood said the Home Secretary post was “the best job in business”.

In a post on X, Ms Mahmood said she would press ahead with immigration reform.

He said: “It is an honor to remain in Andy Burnham’s cabinet as Home Secretary.

“I may be biased, but this is the best job in the industry.

“We started a major reform effort to make our streets safer and our immigration system fair for everyone. Now let’s finish the job.”

Louise Haigh, who resigned as Transport Secretary a decade ago after it was revealed she had pleaded guilty to fraud, will become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

He was also given the rare role of foreign secretary given in previous governments by George Osborne, William Hague and the disgraced Lord Peter Mandelson.

During the purge of Starmer loyalists, Ms Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Attorney-General Lord Richard Hermer and Housing Minister Steve Reed were fired by Mr Burnham in a bloodbath.

Liz Kendall has been sacked as Technology Secretary, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle, General Secretary Darren Jones, Wales Secretary Jo Stevens and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have also been sacked.

Mr Reed used his resignation letter to tell Mr Burnham that he hoped “those who have shown no loyalty to Keir will show it to you”.

Ms Reeves wished her successor in 11th place “good luck” in a post on social media.

In a post about X, he wrote: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“Thanks to the elections we have made as a Labor Government over the last two years, the economy is stronger, fairer and more resilient today.

“Stability has been achieved, investments have been made and reforms in our economy are continuing.”

Ms Reeves, who was said to have been offered a “big job” by Mr Burnham but turned it down, continued: “When I was appointed chancellor, I said I would be determined by my time in office if the lives of ordinary working-class people were improved. I’m proud to say that.”

“And to every young woman and girl, let my time in office show that there should be no limits to your ambitions, hopes and dreams.

“I wish my successor Andy and his cabinet the best of luck.

“You have my full support and I will continue to do my bit to help the Labor Government deliver the change the country needs.”

Lord Hermer said it had been “the privilege of my life” to serve in this role for the last two years, adding that he was particularly proud of the Hillsborough Act and the rebuilding of the UK’s reputation abroad.

Ousted Justice Minister Mr Lammy said he would continue to support the Government “from the backbenches” and wished Mr Burnham “every success”.

Prisons Secretary Lord James Timpson, who oversaw the early release of prisoners, was the first to announce his resignation, and the science minister Lord Patrick Vallance soon followed.