Andy Burnham should listen to words of warning from Rachel Reeves
The Chancellor has joined the ranks of senior politicians passing on their advice to the next prime minister
Andy Burnham is all but certain to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as early as next Monday, with Ms Reeves likely to make way for someone more closely allied to the former mayor of Manchester.
The Chancellor said Mr Burnham will need a “worked through plan” because “governing is hard in Britain, and lots of challenges and shocks will come his way”.
Ms Reeves speaks from experience. She began her two-year tenure with the controversial decision to scrap the universal winter fuel payment - a move that cost the Labour government a significant amount of political capital.
The rise she announced to employers’ national insurance contributions has proved similarly contentious, with critics saying the move has stifled growth and contributed to increased youth unemployment.
The Chancellor conceded there were “choices that I made that would be different” as she acknowledged an impatience for change among voters was to blame for Sir Keir’s resignation.
Mr Burnham would do well to take heed of Ms Reeves’ words. When she and Sir Keir moved into 11 and 10 Downing Street respectively, they were riding high on an emphatic general election victory.
Now, two years later, the removal vans are on the way, with the Prime Minister’s approval ratings having slumped to record lows.
Once he assumes office, Mr Burnham is expected to tour the UK to regain voters where Labour has lost support.
This could include the constituencies of Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, where Labour saw dismal by-election results last month.
Perhaps this is a sign he is already wary of falling into the trap of failing to realise how quickly popularity can fade in today’s febrile political environment.