𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Andy Burnham has broken his silence on picking his Chancellor if he becomes Prime Minister. He gave his first interview since becoming the Makerfield MP on Thursday evening (July 2).

After being asked by LBC host Andrew Marr whether he has chosen his Chancellor, Mr Burnham replied: “No, I haven’t made those decisions. Deliberately not.” He added: “I think it’s been a little frustrating for me, in the sort of last 10 days to two weeks, because Westminster goes into its normal mode and it wants to endlessly speculate about personalities before policy and direction.

“And I have very deliberately said ‘no, I’m going to set out a new direction for the country’. And I did that on Monday. I was pleased with how it’s been received.”

He continued: “I didn’t answer questions and some people criticised me for that. But, again, I’m challenging some of the prevailing culture where it will immediately go into a Westminster obsession.”

After confirming that he has not chosen a Chancellor, Mr Burnham added that the scramble for jobs is “just the way it would be.” He said people are entitled to “put their case forward” for roles in the cabinet.

Mr Burnham also said he wants to include all wings of the Labour Party in his Cabinet. This comes as part of his ambition to bring “freshness” to British politics.

He explained: “What I am putting forward here is a very different approach. When it comes to the political direction, that is not up for negotiation.

“But then to deliver that change, to come back to your question, I want there to be the most inclusive approach to building the team so that all parts of the party can see themselves represented within it.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Burnham said Westminster needs “quite a significant culture change” as the whip system doesn’t build “common spirit”. He also revealed that the location of No 10 North will be near Manchester Piccadilly station.

After being asked about the defence investment plan, which has a £5 billion black hole, Mr Burnham claimed he was not included in the recent discussions about the plans. Sir Keir Starmer has left £4.7 billion to be found at the next budget.

Mr Burnham said: “I regard it as something that the country has to face up to very seriously. We’re in a changing world. The nature of the threat is changing.

“What I can say to you tonight is I will take my responsibilities fully to fund the defence investment plan. If I am in the position to do so, I will take those responsibilities extremely seriously. No compromise on the security of the nation.”