David Miliband ‘optimistic’ about a potential Burnham government
Former Foreign Secretary David Miliband says he is “optimistic” about Andy Burnham’s chances of becoming the next prime minister.
Burnham, who is expected to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labor leader and prime minister, has “this openness and energy that I think is very attractive and positive”, Miliband told a think tank event in London on Friday.
He said the expected appointment of former Labor Cabinet Secretary James Purnell as Burnham’s Downing Street chief of staff was “fantastic”.
“I have not lost my youthful optimism,” Miliband said at an event organized by the Center for Global Development think tank.
“Andy Burnham, James [Purnell] I entered the House of Commons at the same time in 2001 and I think [Burnham has] “I have always had an extraordinary ability to listen, to connect, to process data, ideas and information.”
There is speculation that Miliband, the older brother of Energy Minister Ed Miliband, may return to frontline politics in the Burnham government.
He leaves his post as MP for South Shields in 2023 to take up the role of chairman and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee (IRC); These tasks are still ongoing.
Usually a prime minister’s cabinet consists of MPs from the House of Commons.
But in theory, Miliband could join the cabinet if he is given a position in the House of Lords; as did former Prime Minister David Cameron when he became foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.
Burnham has talked mostly about domestic policy since winning the Makerfield by-election and will give a speech on the economy and devolution on Monday.
At the event, the BBC asked Miliband what his message to the next prime minister was on the UK’s aid spending and whether he would be interested in joining Burnham’s government if it got into Downing Street.
Miliband said: “My message, of course, is to read the IRC’s publications because they offer an evidence-based, innovative and cost-effective way of serving the world’s most vulnerable and poverty-stricken parts. Here you go.”
Burnham later did not respond when asked if he had been in recent contact with his team.
Someone who knows Miliband told the BBC he would be a “huge asset to Andy Burnham’s cabinet”, citing his work on the international stage on foreign affairs, humanitarian aid and climate change.
