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Left tells Burnham to put Red Ed in No11: Now hardliner MPs try to halt move to make Mahmood the next Chancellor
Senior Labour figures on the left of the party are reportedly pressing Andy Burnham to appoint Ed Miliband as Chancellor, setting up a factional clash as hardline MPs simultaneously try to block a rival plan to install Shabana Mahmood in the role. The dispute reflects a wider power struggle within Labour over the direction of economic policy as Burnham moves into a position to shape the top team at No 11 Downing Street.
The row comes as Keir Starmer prepares to leave No 10, with the article noting he has also handed peerages to London Mayor Sadiq Khan and 15 other Labour figures in the days before his departure. Beyond the headline claims about Miliband and Mahmood, the underlying report text was not available, so further detail on the timing, the identities of the "hardliner MPs" involved, or the precise stage of the appointment process cannot be confirmed.
In short
- Labour left urges Burnham to make Ed Miliband Chancellor
- Hardliner MPs try to block Shabana Mahmood becoming Chancellor
- Comes as Starmer prepares to leave No 10
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Ed Miliband could argue that his experience in government and emphasis on public investment would offer a credible direction for Labour’s economic policy. Choosing him might also reassure the party’s left that its priorities have influence as the leadership changes hands.
The case against
Supporters of Shabana Mahmood could argue that appointing her would bring a different economic outlook and give the new team room to set its own course. They may also see resistance to her appointment as a legitimate debate about the Chancellor’s approach and qualifications, rather than simply a factional effort to block change.
Explained simply
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the government's chief financial officer and one of the most powerful positions in British politics. They control taxation, public spending, and economic policy, which affect every aspect of public life from schools and hospitals to benefits and business regulations.
The Labour party is undergoing a change of leadership, with Keir Starmer preparing to step down as Prime Minister. As the party considers appointments to its top positions, different factions within Labour are competing for influence over these key roles, reflecting broader disagreements about economic direction.
Senior figures within the Labour party hold different philosophical views about how the economy should be managed, and the choice of Chancellor will shape whether the government prioritises certain economic policies over others. This is why the appointment of a new Chancellor generates significant internal debate among party members and MPs.