Burnham concerned about balance of cabinet after Rayner exit

"Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says he is concerned about the "balance" of the cabinet after a reshuffle sparked by Angela Rayner's resignation for under paying stamp duty. She left her roles as housing secretary and deputy prime minister, as well as deputy leader of the Labour Party, the latter of which has triggered a contest to find her replacement."

"Asked if he was worried about whether the new-look cabinet included the right balance of people, Burnham said: "I am concerned about the balance, and I think you know, we need to use the deputy leadership contest to discuss some of these things." He said the leadership needed to to the party more, pointing to internal rows over winter fuel payments and disability benefits, adding that MPs opposed to the government's plans should not be "punished"."

"pointing to internal rows over winter fuel payments and disability benefits, adding that MPs opposed to the government's plans should not be "punished". He continued: "I see good people, good MPs, losing the whip, people like Rachael Maskell. That doesn't seem fair to me. It didn't happen in the governments I was in, in Gordon Brown's government or Tony Blair's government. You know, we need a different style here, so that everyone is included and we pull together.""

Angela Rayner resigned after underpaying stamp duty, vacating roles as housing secretary, deputy prime minister and deputy Labour leader, and prompting a deputy leadership contest. A major reshuffle followed, with David Lammy becoming deputy prime minister, Yvette Cooper appointed foreign secretary, Shabana Mahmood named home secretary, and Lucy Powell leaving the cabinet. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham expressed concern about the cabinet balance and urged the party to adopt a more inclusive internal management style, warning against punishing MPs who oppose government plans. Defence Secretary John Healey described a "good new team" and suggested accelerating their efforts while noting asylum-seeker accommodation options.

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