Shabana Mahmood, the current home secretary, is being considered for chancellor by incoming Labour leader Andy Burnham, but a critical commentary argues she is far from an outstanding politician. Writing for Metro, freelance editor Sharan Dhaliwal disputes ITV News political editor Robert Peston's assertion that Mahmood is 'admired across the political spectrum,' calling the claim baffling.
Peston's praise questioned
Peston posted on X that Mahmood is 'one of the outstanding politicians of this generation' and 'admired across the political spectrum,' referencing a Financial Times article about her potential appointment as chancellor. Dhaliwal writes that she initially thought the post was a joke, but realised Peston was serious. She argues that Mahmood has few quantifiable achievements and a non-existent economic background, and questions why Ed Miliband—a more popular choice—is being overlooked.
Mahmood's frontrunner status
Senior Labour members told the Guardian that Mahmood is likely to be moved to the Treasury once Burnham enters No. 10. Dhaliwal notes that current chancellor Rachel Reeves is widely seen as a factor in Labour's woes, with a YouGov poll showing 54% of the public think Reeves is doing a bad job. Reeves' missteps include plans to means-test Winter Fuel payments, inheritance tax hikes, and national insurance changes.
Burnham's team has indicated they want a chancellor who will 'simply execute their will' and 'be a cipher,' which Dhaliwal argues undermines Burnham's claim to 'build new politics.' She warns that appointing Mahmood would mirror Keir Starmer's approach, just 'with less grey hair.'
Criticism of Mahmood's record
Dhaliwal highlights Mahmood's 'inhuman anti-immigration policies,' plans to seize migrant assets, and deportation policies, as well as her admiration for Margaret Thatcher. She notes that over 20 Labour MPs publicly condemned Mahmood's immigration reforms in November 2025. 'She is unpopular amongst her peers,' Dhaliwal writes.
The commentary concludes that Mahmood is neither outstanding nor admired, and that Burnham would be making a mistake by appointing her. 'We are risking losing Labour further from the hard right, to the far right,' Dhaliwal warns.
