ANDY Burnham is set to unveil his first Cabinet after weeks of feverish Westminster speculation.
The Labour leader is expected to reveal his top team after officially becoming Prime Minister on today.
Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham Credit: AFP
Could current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband get a bigger job? Credit: Reuters
Here, The Sun looks at the runners and riders for the biggest jobs in government.
Chancellor
Ever since returned to Westminster, one question has dominated politics: who will get the keys to No11?
For weeks, looked like the favourite.
The former Labour leader has played a key role in Burnham’s rise and is regarded by allies as one of the Government’s most effective Cabinet ministers.
But his promotion has also alarmed MPs, advisers and market watchers, who see him as too closely associated with Labour’s soft left and worry his commitment to net zero could unsettle investors.
His supporters have insisted he is fiscally disciplined and have been pointing out there is little in his ministerial record to suggest he would embark on a borrowing spree.
However, concerns over market confidence are understood to have persuaded Burnham that Miliband may not be the right person for the Treasury.
Home Secretary is now widely tipped to become Chancellor despite wanting to remain at the .
Seen as being on the right of the Labour Party, she is viewed as a reassuring choice for the .
The biggest question mark is her lack of economic experience.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood could become Chancellor on Monday Credit: Alamy
Yvette Cooper has been fighting to keep hold of the Foreign Office Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis
Foreign Secretary
has spent weeks fighting to keep hold of the Foreign Office.
During her first year in the role, she has built what allies describe as a strong working relationship with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
But if misses out on the Treasury, Burnham could hand him the Foreign Office as a consolation prize.
His brother David Miliband was also rumoured to be in line for the job – but The Sun reported last week he is actually eyeing the role of US ambassador in .
Former Defence Secretary , who extraordinarily quit ‘s Government over the defence investment plan, has also been tipped for the job.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis Credit: Getty
John Healey quit as Defence Secretary last month after a row over military spending Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis
Defence Secretary
Dan Jarvis only took over as Defence Secretary a matter of weeks ago after replacing John Healey.
At the time, many in Westminster thought he had inherited a poisoned chalice as ministers scrambled to find billions to fund Labour’s ambitious Defence Investment Plan.
Jarvis managed to secure a little bit extra cash from the Treasury and won praise for getting the DIP off the ground.
The former South Yorkshire Mayor is also seen as politically close to Andy Burnham, with the pair having worked together as metro mayors.
It has made him one of the ministers most likely to survive the reshuffle – although Healey is still seen by some as a contender if Burnham opts for experience.
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is one of Burnham’s closest allies Credit: Getty
Former Deputy PM Angela Rayner is expected to make a return to Cabinet Credit: Tayfun Salci
Who is almost certain to be in the Cabinet?
has become one of Burnham’s closest allies.
The former Secretary, who was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer, is expected to be appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, making her one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted and powerful ministers.
is also expected to return to Cabinet. She had wanted the Education brief but is now seen as more likely to return to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
, Burnham’s constituency neighbour and another minister dismissed by Starmer, is expected to make a Cabinet comeback. The Labour deputy leader is likely to be rewarded with a senior role.
Heidi Alexander is heavily rumoured to become Chief Whip despite wanting to stay on as Transport Secretary.
is also seen as a frontrunner for one of the biggest jobs in Burnham’s government.
The Secretary was one of Labour’s most high-profile performers under Sir Keir and is viewed as one of the party’s strongest communicators.
Cabinet Casualties
Business Secretary Peter Kyle could be on his way out Credit: Getty
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is widely expected to be sacked Credit: Alamy
Not everyone is expected to survive the cull.
Several of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest allies are widely expected to be shown the door. Business Secretary is expected to lose his Cabinet seat.
Secretary is also widely tipped to be sacked.
Several other junior ministers are also expected to be removed as the new Prime Minister wants to reward loyalists who backed his leadership campaign.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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