Rachel Reeves breaks silence on Andy Burnham after rumours he will sack her | Politics | News
Rachel Reeves has backed Andy Burnham as the next Prime Minister despite speculation she could sack him. The new Makerfield MP, who could enter 10 Downing Street within weeks, is expected to replace Ms Reeves as Chancellor.
But he won’t be persuaded by reports that he might accept another, lower-level rule. He told the BBC: “I’m not going to get in the way of the decisions the new Prime Minister makes. I support Andy. I think he’ll be a great prime minister, but those are his decisions, not mine.”
Ms Reeves added that “no one can doubt” her devotion to Sir Keir in recent years.
He said: “I have been with him for six years as Shadow Chancellor and then as Chancellor of the Exchequer.”
The Chancellor added: “I know whoever becomes Prime Minister and Chancellor in the future will inherit a stronger economy than the one I inherited two years ago.”
It comes amid talks about who could serve in Burnham’s Cabinet.
Names put forward for the chancellor include former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Energy Minister Ed Miliband, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Mr Burnham looks set to replace Sir Keir Starmer within weeks as few rivals emerge in the Labor leadership contest.
Former armed forces minister Al Carns, who resigned earlier this month over defense spending, remains a possible candidate, calling for a “proper discussion” on the country’s future.
