Andy Burnham has appointed three new ministerial aides from Labour's most leftwing faction, the Socialist Campaign Group, marking the first time members of this group have held government positions. The new chief whip, Anneliese Midgley, has also promised MPs that the government will enhance the role of parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs), traditionally low-profile positions, by allowing them to make more media appearances, take on parliamentary roles, and contribute more directly to policy direction.
Ending factionalism
Burnham has stated his intention to end the Labour factionalism that divided the party under both Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer, and will seek to make appointments from both the left and centrist wings. Although Burnham has returned several soft-left ministers to key cabinet positions, such as Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell, and Angela Rayner, no ministerial appointments were made from the Socialist Campaign Group until now.
The three new PPSs from the socialist grouping are Olivia Blake (Sheffield Hallam) for local government, Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham) for housing, and Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr) for energy. The PPS role is the most junior ministerial position and often serves as a training ground for promising new MPs who manage liaison between the government and backbenchers.
Consultation with cabinet ministers
Cabinet ministers are not always consulted on PPS appointments, but Midgley said all appointments this time were made in consultation with them. Speaking to the Guardian during the Makerfield byelection campaign, Burnham emphasized his desire to build a broad church frontbench. He said, 'I do think the Labour movement has to draw on all parts of it when we’re in government. I remember Tony Blair’s most difficult days. Dennis Skinner would come out and rally the troops. I think we need to get back to that. I’m not a factional person.'
'I’ve always been a Labour politician, that’s about unifying people, trying to be positive and working together. That’s my approach to politics. I think politics needs less division and less factionalism these days,' Burnham added.
One Labour team
In her letter to MPs announcing the new PPS appointments, Midgley said the prime minister intended to 'build, relentlessly, a genuine culture of one Labour team.' She wrote, 'Our aim has been to assemble a diverse and talented group of PPSs, bringing together a broad range of experience, expertise and perspectives to support ministers and help deliver the prime minister’s agenda.'
Midgley also stated that PPSs would have 'greater opportunities to undertake media and parliamentary activity, including on national policy, with the agreement of departmental media advisers, No 10 and in line with government policy.'
Other appointments and reactions
Burnham has given the prestigious role of his own PPS to veteran MP Sir Nic Dakin, a job that often involves helping prepare for prime minister's questions. He also appointed two local allies as his second and third PPS: Jo Platt, who succeeded him as MP for Leigh, and St Helens North MP David Baines, who helped run Burnham’s Makerfield campaign.
However, some MPs expressed frustration at the number of new MPs who lost their roles, including Abena Oppong-Asare, who had been Starmer’s PPS. Former minister Tulip Siddiq said, 'It’s been extremely frustrating to see so many competent people unceremoniously sacked from government. This latest list showing sacked PPS’ makes me despair in particular because PPS-ing is not a glamorous job and so many of these MPs just got on with it, put in the hours and would have been an asset to any Labour government. Not to mention that the first black woman ever to be PPS to a prime minister was removed.'
