Andy Burnham supporters split over chancellor pick
Andy Burnham's supporters are divided over who should become chancellor if he becomes prime minister, with Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband as the leading candidates.
Supporters of Andy Burnham are locked in a dispute over who should serve as chancellor if the Makerfield MP becomes prime minister. A briefing war has broken out between advocates of former health secretary Wes Streeting and those close to energy secretary Ed Miliband.
Some of Burnham's advisers are urging him to choose Streeting to reassure the business community and the fossil fuel industry. Others, however, insist he must pick Miliband, seen as more likely to back radical policies and push back against a reluctant civil service if needed.
The battle for the Treasury could define Burnham's potential premiership. According to one recent adviser, the choice of chancellor will be the clearest sign yet of how radical Burnham intends to be.
Burnham has not yet decided on the role. His team has spoken to Jim O'Neill, the former Goldman Sachs chief economist and Conservative minister, about becoming his chief economic adviser, but no final decision has been made.
Other possible candidates for chancellor include Yvette Cooper, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Darren Jones, and John Healey. Miliband's supporters point to his extensive Treasury experience, long friendship with Burnham, shared agenda, and effectiveness at the energy department. Streeting's allies describe him as a sensible Blairite moderniser who supports Burnham's de-privatisation agenda. Sources close to Streeting say he has struggled to find policy differences with Burnham and agrees that Thames Water should be nationalised.
