A new YouGov poll of Labour members has found that Ed Miliband, the current Energy Secretary, is narrowly their preferred choice to become Chancellor once Andy Burnham takes over as Prime Minister. The finding matters because Burnham is described as almost certain to replace Sir Keir Starmer on 20 July, and any move to satisfy the party's membership could fuel concerns about Labour shifting further to the Left.

The survey put Miliband on 21 per cent, just ahead of the 20 per cent who wanted the incumbent Chancellor Rachel Reeves to remain in post, with these two the only leading figures to attract significant support. Nearly three in ten (28 per cent) did not know who they wanted at the Treasury, while former health secretary Wes Streeting drew 6 per cent and all other contenders 5 per cent or less. The poll also found nearly a third of members want Burnham to increase benefits spending, despite his recent comment that he is not "squeamish" about squeezing welfare.