Andy Burnham has appointed a Cabinet with a markedly northern composition, the most regionally concentrated since the 1970s, reflecting his stated aim to shift political power away from London. Of the 28 ministers in his Cabinet, 12 were born in northern England—representing 43 percent of the team—the highest proportion recorded in Labour cabinets since that decade. This contrasts with the 22 percent of northern-born ministers in the current Shadow Cabinet under Sir Keir Starmer.
The northern regions represented include the northeast, northwest, and Yorkshire and the Humber. London-born ministers make up only 18 percent of Burnham’s Cabinet, the lowest share since the early 2000s. The cabinet also includes representation from Wales, Scotland, and other Midlands constituencies. Two ministers were born outside the UK: Miatta Fahnbulleh, the net zero minister, originally from Liberia, and Kanishka Narayan, the artificial intelligence secretary, from India.
The geographical shift is underscored by the fact that 14 Cabinet members represent northern constituencies, alongside a “band of strong, Northern power women,” which some backbenchers have celebrated as a “march of the Northern Queens.” The political centre of power within the Cabinet has symbolically moved northwards, now situated between Sheffield and Knowsley in Merseyside.
In terms of education, the composition is more elite than might be expected for a Cabinet representing the North. Approximately 21 to 24 percent of ministers attended private schools, including prominent figures such as Louise Haigh, Chris Bryant, and Miatta Fahnbulleh. However, a significant portion of ministers (41 percent) were educated in northern institutions. Additionally, more than half the Cabinet studied at Oxford or Cambridge, a higher rate than under Starmer’s leadership and well above the national average, which is under 1 percent.
Despite the increase in women ministers within Burnham’s team, critics note that fewer hold the most senior offices, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood remaining the only woman in a great office of state. Some appointments have generated controversy; for example, Louise Haigh was previously convicted of fraud, Angela Rayner resigned from a prior government role over unpaid stamp duty issues, and Jonathan Reynolds apologized for incorrectly claiming to have worked as a qualified solicitor. Education Secretary Lucy Powell also faced criticism for comments regarding the grooming gang scandal.
The composition and backgrounds of Burnham’s Cabinet have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters see it as a move to decentralize power and promote northern representation. However, some political opponents have questioned the suitability and integrity of certain appointments, expressing concerns about public trust and governance capability under this Cabinet.
Burnham himself, who attended a state school in Merseyside, has emphasized the goal of devolving authority from Whitehall and establishing what he describes as a “No 10 North,” signaling a strategic attempt to rebalance political influence within the UK.