Andy Burnham’s first cabinet tells us a good deal about who he trusts, but still not very much about what he intends to do.
Two of the three great offices of state are occupied by figures associated with Labour’s moderate and right wings.
John Healey, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, began his career in the trade union movement but cut his teeth at the Treasury under Gordon Brown. As Financial Secretary, he developed a North Sea fiscal regime intended to balance tax revenues with continued investment.
More recently, as defence secretary, he established a reputation for seriousness on national security and strong support for the UK’s defence commitments.
Shabana Mahmood, meanwhile, is firmly associated with the Labour right. Her retention as home secretary suggests continuity in the government’s tougher approach to immigration, crime and public order, as well as a continued willingness to tell party colleagues hard truths.
The exception is Ed Miliband’s appointment as foreign secretary. Although one of the most prestigious positions in government, the Foreign Office has often become less influential during periods of geopolitical crisis – as now - when prime ministers tend to take direct control of major decisions.
Whether Burnham also gave him the position on the basis it would keep him out of the country for extended periods is, of course, a matter of speculation.
Elsewhere, the appointment of Wes Streeting to defence, Jonathan Reynolds to business and trade, and the retention of Pat McFadden at work and pensions represent significant wins for Labour moderates. Collectively, these appointments suggest Burnham is seeking to regain the government’s credibility with business and on national security.
Energy policy is, however, the clearest outlier. The promotion of Miatta Fahnbulleh, a close ally of Miliband and a former energy minister, is perhaps understandable after she played a significant role in developing Burnham’s policy programme. But her elevation is difficult to marry with Burnham’s recent indication that he wanted to change direction in relation to the North Sea, something that is surely an anathema to Fahnbulleh.
The reshuffle also carries political risks. The brutal purge of Starmer loyalists is politically understandable but, as always, leaves a disgruntled cohort on the backbenches.
Some, such as David Lammy, may choose to remain loyal as they contemplate a return to frontline politics, perhaps as the next Labour candidate for Mayor of London.
Others, such as Darren Jones and Peter Kyle, may feel more restive, their careers prematurely ended only due to their continued loyalty to a leader who won a landslide two years ago. Others who remain in cabinet but without promotion, such as Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander, may also feel snubbed.
Nevertheless, Burnham has succeeded in constructing a cabinet that appears to be a broad tent, while actually handing moderates power in many of the most important roles.
The central question now – as it has been since his victory in the Makerfield byelection – is what Burnham actually wants his new ministers to do. As the divergence in the energy brief shows, he now has his team, but it remains to be seen what game he wants them to play.
Andrew Liddle is Head of Government Relations at True North Advisors