There has been a marked shift in Downing Street’s attitude to handling Andy Burnham. Now that Burnham has launched a series of open attacks in the media, Starmer’s inner circle has decided it’s time to return fire. Bloomberg reports that Number 10’s tactic will be to depict the King of the North as Labour’s ‘Liz Truss’, with his spendthrift leadership pitch evidence of an “unserious and irresponsible” politician who will spook the markets and send the economy into a tailspin. Truss herself says ‘he should be so lucky’…
Rachel Reeves is expected to warn in her conference speech next week that the government can only open the coffers for big spending provided it maintains market confidence – which is admittedly a big ask even for Reeves, let alone Burnham. Other cabinet ministers have been more openly critical of Burnham’s manoeuvring recently: this morning Housing Secretary Steve Reed accused him of taking “pot shots” at Starmer, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle insisted earlier this month it would be best if Burnham stayed in his lane for the duration of his mayoral term. Labour NEC sources have also told Guido they were determined to thwart any attempt by Burnham to return to SW1 via a by-election. They were pleased to see Andrew Gwynne rule out any plans to step aside…
Burnham allies do not consider themselves the aggressors in this fight, despite today’s media salvo. Their view is the Starmerites have been briefing heavily against Burnham for years, and now it’s Keir’s turn to feel the heat. Installing Andy’s close pal Lucy Powell as the new Deputy Leader will be a helpful way to turn up the temperature. Not to mention enlisting the help of the Red Queen from the backbenches…
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