Andy Burnham's recent cabinet reshuffle has been marked by high-profile rejections and internal friction. David Miliband reportedly turned down an offer to serve as Education Secretary, a role that eventually went to Lucy Powell.
The sibling rivalry behind David Miliband's rejected Education post
David Miliband's decision to decline the Education Secretary role appears to be rooted in both family dynamics and personal loyalty. According to a Labour source cited by the Daily Mail, David Miliband felt the position was too junior compared to the role granted to his brother, Ed Miliband. ed Miliband received a significant promotion, moving from Energy and Net Zero Secretary to Foreign Secretary, a post David Miliband himself held from 2007 to 2010 under Gordon Brown.
Beyond the hierarchy of the cabinet, David Miliband's relationship with the previous incumbent, Bridget Phillipson, played a role in his refusal. The report says that David Miliband did not wish to humiliate Phillipson, with whom he has a friendship and whom he supported during the 2019 general election. This refusal is particularly notable given David Miliband's current financial standing; as president of the International Rescue Committee since 2013, he earns a salary exceeding £1 million per year.
Why Lucy Powell feels snubbed by the missing Deputy Prime Minister title
Lucy Powell, the MP for Greater Manchester, has reportedly expressed anger over her appointment as Education Secretary. While she secured a cabinet seat, Powell had expected to be named Deputy Prime Minister, a title she believed was hers until the reshuffle was finalized. This perceived snub is particularly stinging because Lucy Powell was instrumental in orchestrating Andy Burnham's return to Parliament and the subsequent removal of Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
The frustration within Lucy Powell's camp is evident, with sources close to the MP describing her as "hurt and angry." The tension is exacerbated by the fact that Andy Burnham's team had allegedly been briefing the Deputy Prime Minister appointment throughout the weekend, only for the title to be scrapped entirely upon the announcement.
The 'factional Mafioso' battle between Anneliese Midgley and Louise Haigh
The redistributoin of power in Andy Burnham's government has sparked accusations of internal warfare . Instead of appointing a Deputy Prime Minister, Andy Burnham assigned those responsibilities to Louise Haigh, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who was also granted the title of First Secretary of State. This move is viewed by some as a victory for a specific faction within the party.
Internal critics have described the reshuffle as a "punishment beating" carried out by "political thugs." Specifically, the report claims that Lucy Powell lost a power struggle to the new Chief Whip, Anneliese Midgley. The animosity between Anneliese Midgley and Lucy Powell is reportedly deep, with sources claiming the Chief Whip "hates" Powell, leading to the current cabinet configuration.
David Miliband's potential bid for Keir Starmer's London seat
While David Miliband has opted out of the current cabinet, he may still be eyeing a return to the House of Commons. Rumours suggest that David Miliband is interested in the London constituency currently held by Sir Keir Starmer. Should the ousted former Prime Minister decide to leave Parliament, it would trigger a by-election that could provide David Miliband with a path back into British politics.
Several critical details remain unverified , as both Downing Street and David Miliband were approached for comment but have not provided official confirmation. it remains unclear whether the offer of Education Secretary was a formal proposal or a tentative suggestion, and the extent of the "power battle" between Anneliese Midgley and Lucy Powell remains based on anonymous party sources rather than official records.
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