Andy Burnham seeks advice from Sue Gray on forming future Labour government

Andy Burnham sought advice from Sue Gray on managing a potential transition into Downing Street if he returns to Westminster and succeeds the prime minister. Gray is understood to have advised on how a future government could be formed as Labour succession speculation intensifies ahead of the Makerfield byelection. Burnham and Gray have known each other for decades, including Burnham’s ministerial time in Tony Blair’s government while Gray worked in the Cabinet Office. Gray is not expected to take a formal role in any future government. Gray resigned from Downing Street in October 2024 amid hostile briefings and internal tensions, with accusations of alienating colleagues and creating delays. Burnham allies say he remains focused on the byelection, while Darren Jones criticises internal jockeying and urges attention on improving electoral performance without distracting from governing priorities.

"Andy Burnham has sought advice from Sue Gray, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, on how to manage a potential transition into Downing Street if he returns to Westminster and succeeds the prime minister. Lady Gray is understood to have advised Burnham on how a future government could be formed as Labour's internal succession chatter intensifies before the Makerfield byelection."

"The discussions highlight how seriously senior Labour figures are treating Burnham's path back to Westminster, after weeks of speculation surrounding Starmer's long-term future after a bruising set of local election results. Burnham and Gray are understood to have known each other for decades, going back to his time as a minister within Tony Blair's government while Gray was in the Cabinet Office."

"It is understood that Gray is not expected to take any formal role in a future government. Gray resigned from Downing Street in October 2024, after hostile briefings and tensions within Starmer's operation over her role. Gray was accused of alienating some of her political colleagues, who accused her of control freakery, and creating a bottleneck in No 10 that delayed policy decisions and appointments."

"Allies of Burnham said he remains focused on the Makerfield byelection, likely to be a pivotal moment for the Labour party's future direction and Burnham's political trajectory. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, criticised the internal jockeying, telling the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show: 'There's a lot of fantasy politics going on right now inside the Labour party in terms of who is up, who is down, who will be in what position.'"

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