Gissa job Andy! Labour MPs - including Rayner and Streeting - clamour for a selfie with would-be PM Burnham as they bid for a role in his new regime... but Reeves faces chop

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 17:51, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 17:56, 22 June 2026 Labour MPs - including former Cabinet ministers Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting - today clamoured for a selfie with would-be prime minister Andy Burnham. Shortly after being formally sworn in as the MP for Makerfield, following his thumping by-election win last week, Mr Burnham enjoyed a photo shoot with his new colleagues. Many of those MPs who gathered in Parliament's Westminster Hall will be hoping for a job under Mr Burnham's new regime if - as now seems certain - he goes on to replace Keir Starmer in Downing Street. Close to Mr Burnham's side was Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell, a long-time ally of the former Greater Manchester mayor who might expect to soon be named Deputy PM. Ms Rayner and Mr Streeting were also notable attendees, with both former Cabinet ministers hoping for a return to Government under Mr Burnham. There is speculation that the pair have reached agreements with Mr Burnham not to stand against him for the Labour leadership, in exchange for top roles in his incoming administration. Among Sir Keir's top ministers to attend the Westminster Hall event were Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds. It is likely to have proved awkward for Ms Reeves amid expectations she will be sacked as Chancellor by Mr Burnham, if he becomes PM. Labour MPs - including former Cabinet ministers Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting - clamoured for a selfie with would-be prime minister Andy Burnham Close to Mr Burnham's side was Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell, a long-time ally of the former Greater Manchester mayor who might expect to soon be named Deputy PM Mr Burnham's allies are said to have concluded that keeping Ms Reeves in charge of the Treasury would not represent a sufficient change in direction from Sir Keir's administration. Ms Reeves was present at the Westminster Hall event after she earlier snubbed attending Sir Keir's tearful resignation statement outside the famous black door of No10. This is despite Ms Reeves residing in the two-bedroom flat above No10, while Sir Keir's family are in the larger flat above No11. It has been suggested that Mr Streeting, the former health secretary, could be named Chancellor by Mr Burnham as part of a deal for him to abandon a mooted leadership challenge. Shortly after Sir Keir announced his resignation as PM on Monday, Mr Streeting said he would row in behind Mr Burnham's leadership bid. Mr Reynolds is currently Labour's chief whip and might be hoping for a more senior role in a Cabinet reshuffle conducted by Mr Burnham. He is said to have been among those Cabinet ministers to have told Sir Keir his time is up in recent days, as large numbers of Labour MPs demanded Mr Burnham take over in No10. Despite reports that Ed Miliband, the current Energy Secretary, was being lined up to replace Ms Reeves as head of the Treasury, Mr Burnham is now said to have gone cool on that idea. Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, and John Healey, the former defence secretary, are others who have been touted as possible Chancellors. Louise Haigh, who was forced to quit as transport secretary under Sir Keir after it emerged she had a historic conviction for fraud, is also in line for a top job under Mr Burnham after she led his Makerfield by-election campaign. Ms Rayner (pcitured centre) and Mr Streeting were also notable attendees, with both former Cabinet ministers hoping for a return to Government under Mr Burnham It has been suggested that Mr Streeting, the former health secretary, could be named Chancellor by Mr Burnham as part of a deal for him to abandon a mooted leadership challenge Among Sir Keir's top ministers to attend the Westminster Hall event were Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds (bottom left) It is likely to have proved awkward for Ms Reeves amid expectations she will be sacked as Chancellor by Mr Burnham, if he becomes PM Anneliese Midgley, who was once an adviser to Sir Keir, could replace Mr Reynolds as chief whip in Mr Burnham's administration while Kate Green, his policing chief in Greater Manchester, has been tipped as his incoming chief of staff. The Makerfield by-election was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons as the local MP, who said he wanted to give Mr Burnham a chance to return to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir because Labour was 'imploding'. Mr Simons is another to have been touted for a top role in Downing Street under Mr Burnham. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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