The Daily Express rounds up some of the favourites to succeed Rachel Reeves
There is intense speculation over who will be Andy Burnham’s chancellor (Image: Getty)
Speculation is swirling over who Andy Burnham will pick as his chancellor. The incoming prime minister, who will enter 10 Downing Street on Monday, is set to sack Rachel Reeves from the Treasury. But he is still dithering over who he will appoint to the key chancellor role, as a briefing war rages between possible candidates.
Mr Burnham also hinted more tax hikes could be on the way as he said he “might be having to ask for a little more” in an interview with Gary Lineker.
Ed Miliband
Speculation over who will become chancellor has largely centred on Ed Miliband.
But the Energy Secretary, who is on Labour’s soft-left, could be a divisive choice due to his net zero stance amid soaring energy prices for hard-pressed families.
Unite union boss Sharon Graham warned that his net zero obsession would be a “noose around the neck” of job creation.
Mr Miliband is said to be willing to drop his opposition to more North Sea oil and gas drilling in order to become chancellor.
However, more recent reports have suggested that the former Labour leader is unlikely to be handed the job, amid concerns he would be a lightning rod for criticism.
Ed Miliband might be out of the running (Image: Getty)
Shabana Mahmood
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has emerged as a frontrunner to be the next chancellor.
However, she is said to want to remain in the Home Office to see through her immigration reforms.
Ms Mahmood has sparked a backlash from some Labour backbenchers over the asylum crackdown, which Mr Burnham backed in a crunch Commons vote earlier this week.
Yvette Cooper
Yvette Cooper has also been tipped as a potential successor to Ms Reeves.
But she could also stay in her current Foreign Secretary post.
She could be Mr Burnham’s continuity candidate as he has signalled he will stick to Sir Keir Starmer’s plans for closer ties with the EU and supporting Ukraine.
Shabana Mahmood is a favourite but is said to want to stay in her current role (Image: Getty)
Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting, who quit as health secretary in May and called for the Prime Minister to resign, has been mooted for the chancellor job.
He was expected to run in the Labour leadership race but later withdrew and backed Mr Burnham.
Mr Streeting may have made a deal with Mr Burnham in exchange for dropping out of the contest, although it was not clear if he would have secured the backing of the 81 Labour MPs needed.
Pat McFadden
Work and Pension Secretary Pat McFadden is another option for Mr Burnham’s chancellor.
He is seen as steady, reliable and a safe pair of hands.
But he could stay in his current role and has said this week that Labour must stop “simply writing a cheque” for benefit claimants as the welfare bill soars.