Andy Burnham’s ascension to the premiership has brought significant personnel changes within the Labour Party, marked by the removal and sidelining of many figures closely associated with his predecessor, Keir Starmer. In the days following Burnham’s appointment last week, a notable reshuffle ousted numerous ministers and aides perceived as loyal to Starmer, setting the stage for potential tensions within the party.

Among those removed or demoted were high-profile figures such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who declined a move to education secretary, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, Attorney General Richard Hermer, and Housing Secretary Steve Reed. Others unexpectedly sidelined included Nick Thomas-Symonds, the government’s chief EU negotiator, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, and Ministry of Justice official Alison Levitt. Two former opposition colleagues of Starmer, Jenny Chapman and Chris Ward, also lost government positions. Many observers suggest these moves were designed to consolidate Burnham’s control and prioritize his inner circle in key posts.

Burnham’s team includes several former Starmer critics who had themselves been forced out or marginalized under the previous leadership. Notably, Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, once removed amid controversy over a 2014 fraud conviction, returned to a prominent role as the de facto deputy prime minister. Lucy Powell, dismissed as leader of the House of Commons, and Ed Miliband, who resisted Starmer’s attempts to remove him as energy secretary and later publicly advocated for Starmer’s departure, have both gained senior government appointments. Other officials who have reemerged in government include former Starmer staffers Sue Gray, Anneliese Midgley, Donjeta Miftari, Luke Sullivan, and Nick Williams.

Burnham has framed his cabinet as reflective of the party and the country, emphasizing inclusivity and pledging a “one-team approach.” His first cabinet reportedly achieves unprecedented gender balance, though critics note it remains more privately educated than under Starmer and less ethnically diverse than the current government under Rishi Sunak. Despite assurances, some within Labour express concern that the reshuffle’s factional nature undermines party unity. A senior frontbencher warned of “trouble in the long run,” pointing to the risk that ousted ministers could use their experience and networks to challenge Burnham’s leadership.

The tension was palpable on the night of Starmer’s final departure from Downing Street, when dozens of his former ministers and aides gathered at a London pub. Participants described a mixture of frustration and anger, suggesting that many had lost jobs for their loyalty to Starmer or refusal to publicly call for his resignation. Some are now considering coordinated ways to engage with Burnham’s government, either through support or by highlighting policy flaws. This was illustrated when former Chief Secretary Darren Jones publicly questioned Burnham’s plan to remove VAT on electricity bills, pointing out that the funding relied on scrapping a government digital ID programme that had no secured financing.

Burnham’s initial days have also featured a surge of policy announcements, including a VAT cut on energy bills, a £2 cap on bus fares, and reductions in business rates for pubs. Yet, some of these measures have raised questions about funding and coherence amid reports of disarray within Downing Street, where officials are still coordinating budgets and delivery strategies. Sources acknowledge ongoing challenges in policy implementation and internal communication.

In his first week, Burnham has sought to address party divisions, instructing his cabinet to actively engage with backbenchers and foster parliamentary cohesion after months of internal strife. However, the reshuffle’s aftermath, marked by lingering resentment among previously influential figures, suggests that managing Labour’s internal dynamics will remain a key test for his tenure. Meanwhile, Starmer’s loyalists outside government appear poised to remain an active political force within the party, weighing how best to influence its direction from the backbenches.