Andy Burnham could appoint Manchester policing chief Kate Green as his No 10 chief of staff, sack David Lammy and bring Josh Simons – the former MP who quit to make way for the Manchester Mayor – into No 10, as his team wargame next steps if he wins Thursday’s Makerfield by-election.
The Greater Manchester Mayor has also been receiving advice from Baroness Sue Gray, the former senior civil servant who briefly worked as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, as he prepares for Downing Street.
Burnham and Starmer are gearing up for a showdown next week when the mayor hopes to return to Parliament to challenge the Prime Minister. On Wednesday, Starmer said he would offer Burnham a job in his Cabinet – an offer which Burnham allies say he will reject.
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UK NEWS
Boy, 3, ‘thrown’ into crocodile enclosure at Cambridgeshire zoo
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Old Hurst, Huntingdonshire, leaving him with serious injuries.
What we know so far
Cambridgeshire Police said they were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, just before 1.30pm on Thursday after reports that a boy had “ended up in the crocodile enclosure”.
Police confirmed the boy is in a “critical but stable” condition in hospital, after reports he was “thrown” into the enclosure.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Big Read
7 min read
Man and child ‘not known to each other’
At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances. We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann, Cambridgeshire Police
Caption: close-up of a crocodile lying in the sand of a zoo with its mouth open and a pond behind it, frontal view
Photographer: aire images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Photographer: Peter Dazeley
Provider: Getty Images
Source: The Image Bank RF
news
The city where you’re most likely to get a speeding fine
New data reveals an unexpected hotspot for speeding tickets, beating London for the average cameras per square mile.
Here is everything you need to know.
Which city takes the top spot?
Drivers in Bradford are the most likely to get caught speeding, with 84 cameras and the highest concentration of speeding cameras per square mile of anywhere in the UK.
It’s the only city in the country to have more than two cameras per square mile, partly due to the roll-out of 20mph zones across the city in the last few years.
MONEY
4 min read
LIFESTYLE
5 min read
Where else should I watch my speed?
Caption: EMBARGOED TO 0001 THURSDAY OCTOBER 16
File photo dated 11/12/19 of a speed camera in London. A surge in drivers being caught by speed cameras has been blamed for a 12% increase in the number of penalty points added to licences last year. Issue date: Thursday October 16, 2025. PA Photo. Figures obtained by Co-op Insurance show drivers in Britain received 9.61 million points in 2024. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
Photographer: Ian West
Provider: Ian West/PA Wire
Source: PA
London has the most cameras at 671, with 1.93 per square mile.
Just west of the capital Hounslow has 72 cameras, 1.86 per square mile.
Tipton in the West Midlands comes in fourth with 1.57 per square mile.
Housing nightmares
6 min read
The wider context
According to the Government’s vehicle compliance statistics, the number of drivers getting caught speed is increasing, and has been for some time. Some 1.84 million drivers attended a speed awareness course in 2024, a 3 per cent rise on the previous year and a 139 per cent increase on figures from 2011.
Explained
5 min read
Big Read
6 min read
Watch more from The i Paper
Exclusive | Vigilantes are – once again – attempting to launch a military-inspired operation to bring a stop to migrants crossing the English Channel, after previous efforts failed and infighting tore one leading group apart following The i Paper‘s coverage of their secret plans. Banned from France after slashing migrant boats last year, one far-right figure is now turning his attention to the English coast. Daniel Thomas, an associate of Tommy Robinson, is planning to put “50 boats” in the English Channel and lock down the Port of Dover to stop migrants from entering the UK. Read Sanya’s full piece on @theipaper website.
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health
The drugs affected by ‘most severe’ shortages ever seen
Caption: File photo dated 16/11/09 of a pharmacist stocking shelves. Pharmacy staff are facing “escalating abuse” from patients while at work, with reports of racism, verbal attacks and violence, a survey has found. Around one in five pharmacy owners said verbal abuse was a daily occurrence, according to Community Pharmacy England. Issue date: Thursday March 26, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Julien Behal/PA Wire
Photographer: Julien Behal
Provider: Julien Behal/PA Wire
Source: PA Wire
Drug shortages are some of the worst GPs and pharmacists have ever seen, according to experts.
Industry bodies have warned common medications such as painkillers and prescriptions to manage blood pressure could be affected.
Some of the drugs affected
Ramipril high blood pressure drug is one of those affected, together with prescription co-codamol and some strengths of low-dose aspirin.
There are ongoing shortages of Creon, which helps people with conditions including cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer digest food.
Serious shortage protocols are also in place for Estradot, a form of hormone replacement therapy.
WELLBEING
7 min read
These shortages are some of the most severe the UK has experienced. Our medicines market has never been so volatile, with patients and primary care colleagues at the sharp end of events outside of their control
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association
Caption: Olivier Picard, pharmacist and chair of the National Pharmacy Association (Photo: Supplied)
Source: Olivier Picard
More health from The i Paper
‘The first line of defence’ against the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has ‘collapsed’ and there are ‘likely’ more cases than official figures tell us, according to Oxfam. There are currently over 780 confirmed cases and over 180 deaths according to the DRC health ministry – making it the largest outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on record. But Oxfam have warned that, because of a lack of clean water and sanitation, the true numbers are probably far higher. #ebola #ebolavirus
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Off-peak visitor hoursstone henge
Provider: Gavin Haines
Copyright: ? English Heritage Trust
Provider: Gavin Haines
Copyright: ? English Heritage Trust
news
Older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site
Two unassuming holes in the ground
in Bulford, Wiltshire, indicate a
sun-worshipping ritual which predates the ancient landmark by about 500 years, a new archaeological discovery suggests.
Simpler version of stone circle
Archaeologists believe ancient worshippers would celebrate the winter and summer solstices at the earlier site, which dates to around 5,000 years ago – about 500 years before Stonehenge proper. They believe two wooden posts, long since rotted but leaving the holes which held them, would have lined up precisely with sunrise on 21 June and sunset on 21 December, just like the Stonehenge stones.
People gather at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, during sunrise on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Picture date: Saturday June 21, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Zhanna Manukyan/PA Wire
Explained
2 min read
Planning for Stonehenge?
The discovery of Bulford actually suggests that maybe the people who built the first stages of Stonehenge were based or living there, or at least gathering seasonally to do the construction work at Stonehenge.
dr jennifer wexler, curator of history at english heritage
Caption: AMESBURY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Members of the Shakti Sings choir sing as druids, pagans and revellers gather in the centre of Stonehenge, hoping to see the sun rise, as they take part in a winter solstice ceremony at the ancient neolithic monument of Stonehenge near Amesbury on December 22, 2018 in Wiltshire, England. A large crowd gathered at the famous historic stone circle, a UNESCO listed ancient monument to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The event is claimed to be more important in the pagan calendar than the summer solstice, because it marks the ‘re-birth’ of the Sun for the New Year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Photographer: Matt Cardy
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
More discoveries made at site
The site was discovered when developers cleared land for military housing 10 years ago. Phil Harding, of Wessex Archaeology, noticed the holes looked to be aligned with the sun and took measurements to confirm this.
Caption: EMBARGOED TO 0001 THURSDAY JUNE 18
Undated handout illustration issued by Wessex Archaeology of a disc shaped flint knife found at Bulford by Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology. Archaeologists have discovered a 5,000-year-old structure that may have served as an early “prototype” for the alignment for the solstice at Stonehenge. A Wessex Archaeology team led by TV’s “Time Team” archaeologist Phil Harding have announced the discovery three miles from the world-famous stone circle, a few days before the summer solstice when thousands will flock to Stonehenge for the sunrise. Issue date: Thursday June 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Wessex Archaeology/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Wessex Archaeology
Provider: Wessex Archaeology/PA Wire
Source: PA
Caption: EMBARGOED TO 0001 THURSDAY JUNE 18
Undated handout photo issued by Wessex Archaeology of Phil Harding at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Archaeologists have discovered a 5,000-year-old structure that may have served as an early “prototype” for the alignment for the solstice at Stonehenge. A Wessex Archaeology team led by TV’s “Time Team” archaeologist Phil Harding have announced the discovery three miles from the world-famous stone circle, a few days before the summer solstice when thousands will flock to Stonehenge for the sunrise. Issue date: Thursday June 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Wessex Archaeology/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Wessex Archaeology
Provider: Wessex Archaeology/PA Wire
Source: PA
Other artefacts, including pottery, animal bones and a rare Neolithic flint knife, were found there, suggesting it was a place of ritual worship.
Teacher given whole life order for sex abuse and murder of baby
A schoolteacher has been handed a whole life order for the murder and sexual abuse of his adopted 13-month-old baby he treated as a “plaything”.
Caption: Undated handout photo originally issued on 21/04/26
by Lancashire Police of Preston Davey. Jamie Varley, 37 has been found guilty of the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old baby Preston at Preston Crown Court on Monday. John McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child. Issue date: Monday June 15, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Lancashire Police
Provider: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA
Teacher to spend life behind bars
Varley, 37, was handed a mandatory life sentence at Preston Crown Court today for murder, sexual assault, child cruelty and taking indecent images of a child.
Caption: Undated handout photo issued by
by Lancashire Police of John McGowan-Fazakerley. Jamie Varley, 37 has been found guilty of the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old baby Preston Davey at Preston Crown Court on Monday. John McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child. Issue date: Monday June 15, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Lancashire Police
Provider: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA
Caption: Undated handout photo issued by
by Lancashire Police of Jamie Varley, 37 who has been found guilty of the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old baby Preston Davey at Preston Crown Court on Monday. John McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child. Issue date: Monday June 15, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Lancashire Police
Provider: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA
His partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years for sexual assault and allowing the death of Preston, who they adopted at nine months old in 2022.
A closer look at the detail
Baby Preston was adopted by the couple after being taken away from his mother, Sarah Davey, at five days old, and was subjected to a series of sexual and violent attacks before being killed by Varley on 27 April, 2023.
He was taken to Victoria Blackpool hospital and seen by social services multiple times during his short life.
Caption: Undated handout photo originally issued on 21/04/26
by Lancashire Police of Preston Davey. Jamie Varley, 37 has been found guilty of the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old baby Preston at Preston Crown Court on Monday. John McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child. Issue date: Monday June 15, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Lancashire Police
Provider: Lancashire Police/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA
Analysis
4 min read
Little Preston was taken from his mother and put into the care of the state. The state has failed him. We need to do better. I’ve been waiting for this Child Protection Authority to be set up. There’s been a consultation, it’s gone too slow.
dame rachel de souza, children’s commissioner
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza (Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
The US-Israeli war with Iran largely stopped shipping through the Hormuz Strait for around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply, along with products such as aluminium and urea (Photo: Amirhosein Khorgooi/Isna/Wana via Reuters)
world
What’s in the Iran-US peace deal?
After Donald Trump signed the Memorandum of Understanding during the G7 summit in France, the long-awaited deal is finally confirmed.
Here is everything we know is in it so far – including the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
Ceasefire declared on all fronts
The 14-point deal begins by establishing an end to the conflict everywhere, including Lebanon. Israel is not part of the deal, though, so it is unclear if it will abide.
Israeli forces attacked Lebanon yesterday and strikes have been reported this morning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said troops will stay in Lebanon “for as long as necessary”, despite criticism from Trump.
OPINION
5 min read
Analysis
3 min read
Strait to reopen ‘immediately’
The US has pledged to end its blockade of the key global shipping route, with all troops departing with 30 days and ships to start passing through once mines have been cleared. Officials have said tolls will not be charged on the passage, though Iran has not confirmed this.
A long-term plan for the management of the Strait is to be agreed with other Gulf states.
Caption: FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo/File Photo
Photographer: Reuters
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Explained
4 min read
Final deal ‘within 60 days’
Caption: A woman holds an Iranian flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ISRAEL. NO ACCESS FOR ISRAELI MEDIA. NO USE BBC PERSIAN. NO USE VOA PERSIAN. NO USE MANOTO. NO USE IRAN INTERNATIONAL. NO USE RADIO FARDA. DIGITAL: NO USE BBC PERSIAN. NO USE VOA PERSIAN. NO USE MANOTO. NO USE IRAN INTERNATIONAL. NO USE RADIO FARDA.
Photographer: Majid Asgaripour
Provider: via REUTERS
Source: Wana News Agency
The US and Iran will “respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and not interfere.
Around $300bn (£224bn) is pledged for Iran’s reconstruction – but not from the US.
Economic sanctions on Iran will end and frozen assets released.
Explained
4 min read
No nuclear weapon for Iran
This has been a key sticking point for negotiations and Iran appears to have finally agreed to the US’s demand. A plan to “downblend” Iran’s current stock of enriched uranium will be “mutually agreed upon” in later talks, and the US has made the lifting of sanctions conditional upon Iran’s compliance.
Both sides agreed to maintain the “status quo” for now, with no new sanctions or uranium enrichment.
Caption: This handout satellite image courtesy of Vantor taken on September 16, 2002 and released on March 2, 2026 shows a view of the Natanz nuclear complex facility under construction with the vehicle ramp and personnel entrances visible near Natanz, Isfahan province, Iran. Iran accused Israel and the United States on March 2 of having attacked its nuclear facility at Natanz, one of the main targets of the previous conflict between the three countries last June. (Photo by Satellite image ??2026 Vantor / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO/ SATELLITE IMAGE ??2026 VANTOR” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS – THE WATERMARK MAY NOT BE REMOVED/CROPPED
Photographer: –
Provider: Satellite image ??2026 Vantor/AFP
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Copyright: Satellite image ?2026 Vantor
This satellite image taken in November shows tunnel construction at Pickaxe Mountain near the Natanz nuclear facility, where enriched uranium is thought to be stored (Photo: Vantor/Maxar/Digital Globe/Getty)
Watch more from The i Paper
US President Donald Trump said that he has a great relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but that he must be more responsible with respect to Lebanon. Speaking at the G7 summit, Trump said he told Israel that he did not like its attack on Beirut and suggested that Syria should take care of Hezbollah instead of Israel. donaldtrump potus G7
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football
England are fun again – but win over Croatia had problems too
Many of us had England down as a multitude of things pre-tournament. Resolute? Underachievers? Thomas Tuchel’s left-field squad to prove their undoing?
Very few had them as tournament entertainers.
A thrilling opening victory
In a tournament of plentiful shocks so far, blowing the 11th-best team in the world away like this to put themselves on course to top their group is a start few could have imagined.
Harry Kane’s World Cup looked like it had got off to the most demoralising of starts as a stuttered run-up failed to fool Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic from 12 yards. Encroachment from Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol gave Kane a second chance, and he made no mistake.
Caption: ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 17: Harry Kane #9 of England poses with the Michelob Ultra Player of the Match Trophy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Photographer: Maja Hitij – FIFA
Provider: FIFA via Getty Images
Source: FIFA
Copyright: 2026 FIFA
First half drama
Loud boos rang around the stadium as the increasingly unpopular hydration break stemmed England’s flow. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders were always going to get their moment in these parts.
Caption: Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group L – England v Croatia – Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. – June 17, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to England players during the first half hydration break REUTERS/Issei Kato
Photographer: Issei Kato
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Caption: DALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 17: Elliot Anderson and Reece James of England close in on Martin Baturina of Croatia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Simon M Bruty/Getty Images)
Photographer: Simon M Bruty
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images North America
Copyright: Simon Bruty
A superb Martin Baturina strike pegged England back, but England’s talisman just cannot be curtailed. Kane’s header late in the first half takes him level with Gary Lineker for World Cup goals. He won’t be on equal terms for long.
Testing times
Jude Bellingham’s superb run and finish just after restart, aided by a Croatia backline that parted like the Red Sea, edged England back in front, but Tuchel’s entertainers were not done there, wasting a host of gilt-edged chances to put the game out of reach.
Caption: DALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 17: Elliot Anderson and Reece James of England close in on Martin Baturina of Croatia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Simon M Bruty/Getty Images)
Photographer: Simon M Bruty
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images North America
Copyright: Simon Bruty
Nico O’Reilly wasted the best of them, glancing a header from point-blank range wide, while Livakovic produced a sensational three successive stops to keep a rampant England at bay.
Smooth sailing?
No other nation has looked this willing to attack and thrill in equal measure. The age-old World Cup adage is that the best defences win major tournaments. No manager has ever won the showpiece event who was not a native of the country they were representing, either.
Perhaps it may be time for a change. England can now go into two very winnable games against Ghana and Panama.
FOOTBALL
3 min read
FOOTBALL
2 min read
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poliics
Here’s what happens if Burnham loses Makerfield
Voters in Makerfield go to the polls today to decide whether to send Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to Westminster.
But they could choose to send Reform UK’s candidate Robert Kenyon to Parliament instead. Here’s what that would look like for Labour and the country.
Could Reform win in Makerfield?
Reform are polling at
24%
As of 6 June, but another right-wing party, Restore Britain, is at 13 per cent.
This means that if voters unite behind Reform today, they could beat Burnham or could split the vote.
35%
Another option is that Restore voters simply don’t turn out, leaving Reform as the only significant challenger.
A defeat would return Burnham to his Manchester mayoralty.
Scenario one: Streeting challenges
With Burnham out of the running, Wes Streeting would be the main challenger to Starmer. The former health secretary claims he has the support of enough MPs to trigger a leadership contest, and would do so if Burnham doesn’t.
He’s not as popular with the membership though and could still lose to Sir Keir Starmer.
Big Read
5 min read
Scenario two: Starmer sets a date
Starmer might conclude the writing is on the wall and agree to set a timetable for his departure. One option would be to tack any contest onto the autumn Labour conference, similar to how the Conservatives ran their 2024 leadership race.
The longer run-up would give more candidates time to build support, such as Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, Yvette Cooper or Shabana Mahmood.
POLITICS
9 min read
POLITICS
4 min read
Scenario three: Strarmer survives, for now
A Burnham defeat could be the best outcome for the Prime Minister.
The rise of Reform could spook Labour MPs into staying loyal.
A challenge by anyone else would not be guaranteed to succeed.
Big Read
5 min read
What would a Makerfield victory mean for Reform?
Beating Burnham would be a major moment for the party. It would show that Nigel Farage’s party can beat even the most popular Labour figures, and do so in what were long considered Labour heartlands.
It would be a sign of how the next general election could play out – a straight Labour-Reform fight across the hundreds of seats, with Labour forced to defend seats it can no longer take for granted, and Green and Conservative supporters having to choose who they want to keep out, rather than elect.
OPINION
3 min read
Big Read
6 min read
More politics from The i Paper
If Burnham does claim the Labour leadership, he will bring a new team to No 10.
Labour insiders have told The i Paper that Green, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester for policing and crime since 2023 and a former Labour MP, is one of a number of names under discussion for the chief of staff role.
She was shadow education secretary in Starmer’s shadow cabinet from 2020 to 2021, but was demoted by the then opposition leader when he shuffled his team.
Kate Green is deputy mayor of Greater Manchester for policing and crime since 2023 and a former Labour MP (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Green resigned her Commons seat in 2022 after being nominated by Burnham for the deputy mayor role in Manchester.
Earlier in her parliamentary career she served as shadow equalities minister under former Labour leader Ed Miliband – who is touted as a potential chancellor in a Burnham cabinet.
Other Burnham allies set for jobs
Elsewhere, Burnham is supported by Kevin Lee, a long-time staffer who currently serves as director of the mayor’s office in Greater Manchester.
Burnham has also reportedly been receiving advice from afar from Gray, who was replaced as Starmer’s chief of staff by Morgan McSweeney. Gray was later appointed a Labour peer.
Simons – who gave up his Makerfield MP seat to let Burnham run – is likely to get a head of policy role in No 10.
Simons had previously resigned as a minister in Starmer’s Government in February because of his decision to commission public affairs agency, APCO, to investigate journalists’ reporting of the think-tank Labour Together which he was running at the time.
Josh Simons stepped aside as Makerfield MP so that Andy Burnham could run in Makerfield
Other aides in a potential Burnham government are likely to include Grace Pritchard – a special adviser to Miliband who has been seconded to Burnham’s campaign. There is also Donjeta Miftari, who is doing communications work in Makerfield.
Miftari briefly worked as a foreign policy adviser for Starmer in No 10, but left Downing Street shortly after Gray, whom she is close to.
Fears over infighting in Burnham’s team
Within the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), big jobs are expected for Miliband, current Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell, Culture Secretary Lisa Nady and Louise Haigh, who was forced to quit as transport secretary in November 2024 over a spent conviction and now chairs the influential Tribune group of “soft-left” MPs.
The diversity of opinion among Burnham’s supporters is fuelling concerns in Labour circles that the project could soon be riven by infighting and divisions.
For example, Simons is widely seen as on the right of the party, backing tougher immigration control and North Sea drilling – seemingly poles apart from the politics of Haigh and Miliband.
A Labour insider who has been in contact with Team Burnham said it was difficult to pin down where the team stood on various issues.
“It depends which camp is in ascendancy this hour… Josh or Tribune/Ed,” they said.
“It’s emblematic of their general issue, there’s no set team, politics or platform.”
They added: “The more things change the more they feel the same.”
Cabinet shake-up
Elsewhere, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is keen to hang on to her current job, arguing that yet another change of Britain’s top diplomat would be bad for foreign policy.
It is understood that Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds are on a list of ministers likely to be sacked by Burnham.
Anneliese Midgley, the MP for Knowsley, is playing a key role bridging the Burnham camp with the wider PLP, including the whips.
She is said to be trusted by MPs from her time working as political director for the Unite union, when she had to handle often fraught relations between the PLP and former Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.
Other Burnham-supporting Labour MPs poised for ministerial roles include Miatta Fahnbulleh, Andrew Cooper, Connor Naismith, Anna Dixon and Luke Charters.
Think-tankers who could be brought into government include Neal Lawson from Compass, Mathew Lawrence at Common Wealth, and Luke Hurst, the national co-ordinator of the soft-left pressure group, Mainstream.
Economic advisers
On the economics front, Burnham has sought advice from Lord Jim O’Neill, a former chief economist of Goldman Sachs and minister in David Cameron’s government, who is now co-president of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Michael Jacobs, an emeritus professor at the University of Sheffield, could also play a role.
Burnham’s team was contacted for comment.
The i Paper understands Starmer has gathered his key aides to see off a challenge from Burnham and has been taking advice from former aide McSweeney. On Tuesday, Starmer sent a rare direct mailshot to Labour members in which he set out his plans to ban social media for under-16s. “Together we are changing Britain,” he said in the email. Ultimately it will be for Labour’s grassroots to decide the party’s next leader.
An ally of Starmer said: “Keir is fired up because he is determined to deliver on his mandate from millions of voters across the country.”
A Cabinet minister told The i Paper any leadership contest should be “conducted with respect” and that Labour should not fall into the same trap as the Conservatives who tore themselves apart in four leadership elections between 2016 and 2022.