ANDY Burnham has walked into 10 Downing Street as Britain’s new Prime Minister, unveiling a revamped Labour Cabinet to deliver his 10-year plan for the country.
As the new Prime Minister , voters are looking closely at who is running the country alongside him.
Technically, no minister in Andy Burnham’s new Cabinet currently holds the official title of ‘Deputy Prime Minister’ Credit: AFP
Andy Burham’s cabinet appointments include Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper Credit: PA
While and , one major title appears to be missing – Deputy Prime Minister.
Is there a Deputy Prime Minister in Andy Burnham’s Cabinet?
Technically, no minister in Andy Burnham’s new Cabinet holds the official job title of “Deputy Prime Minister.”
The previous post-holder, , was when Burnham took over from and from the previous administration.
Former Deputy PM has returned to Cabinet, but as Housing Secretary.
Instead of naming a formal Deputy Prime Minister, Burnham has appointed his long-time ally as First Secretary of State.
In the British political system, First Secretary of State is the highest-ranking Cabinet post after the Prime Minister.
It outranks all other Secretaries of State and carries automatic seniority across Whitehall.
By pairing Haigh in this post with ‘s role as Deputy Leader of the , Burnham has established a clear hierarchy at No10 without needing to hand out a separate “Deputy PM” badge.
Who is Louise Haigh?
Louise Haigh is the MP for Sheffield Heeley and one of Andy Burnham’s most powerful political allies.
Haigh previously served as Transport Secretary under Starmer before resigning in late 2024 after pleading guilty to fraud by misrepresentation over a work mobile phone incident.
After returning to the backbenches, she became a key architect behind Burnham’s political comeback, managing his campaign in the Makerfield by-election and orchestrating his bid for the .
Alongside her title as First Secretary of State, Haigh has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is one of Britain’s oldest ministerial roles.
Because the position does not oversee a single spending department like Health or Defence, the minister operates as a “minister without portfolio.”
Alongside her title as First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office Credit: Getty
This leaves Haigh free to manage the Cabinet Office, coordinate cross-government strategy, and resolve disputes between departments.
Under Burnham, Haigh’s department has been beefed up to act as the “political engine room” driving Downing Street’s economic and social policies.
As First Secretary of State and Cabinet Office chief, Haigh holds senior Cabinet rank and controls the day-to-day machinery of government, making her Burnham’s de facto second-in-command.
Does Burnham have to appoint a Deputy PM?
is under no constitutional or legal obligation to name an official Deputy Prime Minister.
Under Britain’s unwritten constitution, the title of Deputy Prime Minister is discretionary.
It is a title a Prime Minister can choose to grant or leave empty.
Past leaders, including , for parts of his tenure, and , governed the country without ever naming an official Deputy PM.
Burnham could give the “Deputy Prime Minister” title to Haigh or another Cabinet minister during a future reshuffle.
But because First Secretary of State already carries senior deputy status and allows the holder to or chair Cabinet meetings if required, Burnham may keep the current arrangement.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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