Rachel Reeves has thrown her weight behind Andy Burnham’s bid to become Britain’s next Prime Minister despite mounting speculation she could lose her position as Chancellor in a major Cabinet reshuffle.
Speaking as Labour’s leadership transition gathers pace, Ms Reeves said she was “supporting Andy to be Prime Minister” and insisted decisions about future ministerial appointments would be entirely his to make.
Her comments come amid growing Westminster intrigue over who will occupy the most powerful positions in government if Burnham enters Downing Street next month.
Asked about reports that she could be moved to a less senior role, Ms Reeves declined to be drawn into speculation.
“I’m not going to pre-empt the decisions that the new prime minister will make,” she said. “I’m backing Andy. I think he’d be a great Prime Minister, but those are his decisions, not mine to make.”
Attention has focused on Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who has been linked with a possible move to the Treasury.
However, reports suggest Burnham is becoming increasingly cautious about handing one of the most important jobs in government to the former Labour leader.
According to claims from sources close to Burnham, the prospect of Miliband becoming Chancellor is now viewed as “50/50”, with concerns reportedly growing about the political and economic implications of such an appointment.
The possibility has already drawn criticism from opponents.
Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng warned that a Miliband-led Treasury could trigger a fresh wave of tax rises, arguing that households and businesses would face an increasingly heavy burden.
The jockeying comes as Burnham remains the clear favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer after his resignation announcement earlier this week.
Having secured victory in the Makerfield by-election and with no formal challenger yet emerging, Burnham could be installed in Downing Street by July 17 if he remains unopposed.
As Labour prepares for a new era, attention is rapidly shifting from who will become Prime Minister to who will control the levers of power around him.
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