‘Same gang, different seats’: Readers unimpressed as Andy Burnham names new cabinet

A.Ndy Burnham’s first cabinet pick as prime minister leaves many behind Independent Readers are clearly underwhelmed, with many commentators noting that the new top team looks a lot like the old one.

John Healey’s move to chancellorship, Ed Miliband’s promotion to foreign secretary and Shabana Mahmood’s stay as home secretary have been scrutinized; many readers argued that the reshuffle meant a rearrangement of familiar faces rather than a fresh start.

Some have noted that, with the exception of Rachel Reeves and David Lammy, most of the top squad have served under Sir Keir Starmer. Others went further, framing the changes as the spoils of a Labor “coup” rather than a genuine changing of the guard.

Many also took aim at ministers’ compliance with their new briefings. Yvette Cooper’s move to health and Wes Streeting’s move to defense were questioned on the grounds that neither had direct experience in the field, while Miliband’s record was seen by some as too light on diplomacy and national security for the Foreign Office.

Here’s what you need to say:

Musical chairs with the same tired faces

Playing musical chairs with the same tired faces is not a good start. I was hoping Burnham would make a clean break from the Blairites/Starmerites but frankly and disappointingly she failed to do so. The majority of those who get in are those who have been in before, except for Rachel Reeves and David Lammy, who say she turned down a high-ranking job. Doesn’t Labor have talent emerging despite the National Executive being dictatorial about who is allowed to run?

JoeRobson

No sympathy for Reeves

Most people, regardless of his influence, left, right and centre, would be pleased to see the back of Reeves, whose only ability to manage the country’s finances is to raise taxes.

opener

Keeping Mahmood could be a smart move

Perhaps keeping Mahmood in office, like his handling of North Sea oil and gas, is a cunning plan to forestall Reform criticism of immigration? I don’t like these moves, but the Reformation must be stopped at all costs.

Lizzie M.

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I’m sorry to see Reeves go.

I’m sorry to see Reeves go. He had to work extremely hard to bring the country back from the brink, and I think he did a good job; It wasn’t his fault that the country went bankrupt. Tough choices had to be made, and he made them even though he knew everyone else would agree. It’s a shame that these same voices remain silent while the Conservatives are in power.

fair frank

An odd choice for chancellor

An odd choice and one that will probably be entirely dictated by the Treasury. Burnham made missteps in not making Miliband chancellor and not expelling Mahmood from the government.

DeadToRights

Burnham’s rise was no coincidence

Now that the coup plotters are rewarded, we are starting to see who the backstabbers are. Healey took up this and landed a top job alongside Miliband, Mahmood and others. Burnham’s rise was no accident; It was planned.

xenophanes

An option for the chancellor!

John Healey doesn’t even have an ‘O’ level in economics! An option for the chancellor! Now the new defense minister can spend as much as he wants instead of ending the Ukrainian war!

man of integrity

Cabinet duties must require relevant knowledge

Yvette Cooper knows nothing about medicine and Wes Streeting knows nothing about the military. Both cabinet posts require knowledge but seem to rule ignorance.

Jesse James

Same gang, different seats on the bus

Is this a joke? The same gang sitting in different seats of the same broken bus! There are a handful of “outsiders” that even Burnham can’t stand.

hernan123

Miliband has no Foreign Office experience

Miliband is a rather strange choice for foreign secretary. To my knowledge, he has little experience in diplomacy or national security, and no direct experience in dealing with the challenges posed by Russia, China, or the Middle East. At a time of international instability, this role needs someone with a much stronger background in foreign affairs.

Musil

Healey and Miliband’s choices make sense

Healey seems like a good choice. With Putin so active, a strong defense force and a strong NATO are certainly desirable. It also seems logical that Miliband would speed around the world. I’m sorry to see Darren Jones dropped; I thought he was one of the best.

another view3

Bad news for the LGBTQ+ community

Phillipson’s continued equality brief is bad news for the LGBTQ+ community.

We were the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, safety and equality. We are now in 22nd place.

A Little Drunk Max

sensible choices

So far, it is a very logical choice to install an experienced man in the Treasury and keep Shabana Mahmood working on the boat issue. Becoming proficient in mathematics, not allowing fake refugees, and developing a new energy source all make sense.

FreeLife

No more arguing with Claire Coutinho

I’m glad Miliband is no longer energy minister, but I’ll miss his regular encounters with his opposite number Claire Coutinho in the House of Commons; It was a pleasure to watch him squirm under forensic interrogation.

Neil Jones

Some comments for this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

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