'Northern power woman' Louise Haigh takes charge of Andy Burnham's Westminster operation holding meetings about potential government jobs for MPs, as speculation swirls over who will replace Chancellor Rachel Reeves

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE Published: 21:39, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 21:43, 22 June 2026 Andy Burnham’s new ‘enforcer’ began forming his top team today as she takes charge of his Westminster operation. Disgraced former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh joined Mr Burnham in London as he was sworn in as an MP. One of the ‘strong Northern power women’ who propelled him to victory in Makerfield, Ms Haigh has wasted no time in shepherding Labour MPs in for meet-and-greet chats with Mr Burnham in a series of meetings in his new temporary headquarters, a loaned office in the bowels of Westminster. A government whip, ex-Tory MP Christian Wakeford who defected to Keir Starmer’s party, has handed his palace office over to Mr Burnham’s operation. Having been ensconced in the north for much of the last decade, there are new intakes from potentially two general elections he has yet to meet as he persuades them to back his leadership bid. Ms Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley since 2015, has been speaking to MPs from across the party, with conversations including discussions about potential jobs in Mr Burnham’s government. Sources close to Mr Streeting also revealed that Ms Haigh had been leading ‘negotiations’ with those around former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, ahead of his announcement that he would not stand against the self-styled ‘King of the North’. A spokesman for Mr Burnham insisted that ‘no deal has been done’ on potential cabinet jobs for Mr Streeting, as rumours swirled in Westminster that he would be rewarded for his surrender, potentially as chancellor. Andy Burnham with Louise Haigh (left) who is running his leadership operation in Westminster Ms Haigh embraces Mr Burnham, while Anneliese Midgley (right) is also playing a key role  Ms Haigh has also been in talks with senior civil servants, as they scramble to prepare transition plans for the next administration. Multiple sources have suggested that Ms Haigh is on course to become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in Mr Burnham’s government, a crucial enforcement role responsible for driving the Prime Minister’s agenda through departments across Whitehall. Josh Simons, the former MP for Makerfield who sacrificed his job to clear the way for Mr Burnham’s return, is understood to have also been involved in both talks with MPs and Whitehall mandarins, suggesting he will play a role in the next administration. Ms Haigh was forced to resign from Sir Keir’s government just months in, after it emerged she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago, relating to claims of a stolen mobile phone when she worked for insurance giant Aviva. Despite this, sources close to Mr Burnham have insisted that she has a ‘spectacular reputation in the party as one of the most important organisers in the movement’. ‘She and Anneliese Midgley [her fellow Makerfield organiser and MP for Knowsley] have both done this for over a decade... this time it was exceptionally done. ‘They’ve been running two different streams of work - one for Makerfield and one for when he comes in [to No. 10]. Wes coming into line today is testament to that.’ Ms Midgley is set to be appointed the second-ever Chief Whip, after Wendy Morton, who served for just 40 days under Liz Truss. Speaking in Makerfield after his victory on Friday, Mr Burnham branded his key supporters ‘a band of strong, Northern power women’, warning: ‘I wouldn’t mess with them - and I suggest that you don’t either!’ He was introduced to the Commons by Ms Midgley and Jo Platt, his neighbouring MP and long-time ally. Labour deputy leader and fellow Mancunian Lucy Powell was also among those who accompanied him back to London from Manchester. All are expected to play a role in his new government, but the question of who Mr Burnham will appoint as Chancellor remains unanswered. Despite briefings this weekend that Rachel Reeves is set to be immediately axed from the top government role, she was there for Andy Burnham’s photocall with MPs in Westminster Hall after being absent from Downing Street during Sir Keir’s resignation speech. Josh Simons, who quit the Commons to facilitate Mr Burnham's return, is also involved in his transition operation Wes Streeting (left) and Ed Miliband (right) remain in contention for Chancellor, despite concerns about both from various wings of a divided Labour Party Mr Streeting and Ed Miliband remain in contention for the top role, despite doubts about both from different wings of a deeply divided Labour Party. While Mr Burnham’s camp failed to rule out ‘Blairite’ Streeting getting the job, one source appeared to pour cold water on the suggestion. They told the Mail: ‘It’s still very much an open question. There’s obviously a lot of speculation around Streeting. ‘But I personally can’t see that happening. If you want some cohesion in the party, the soft left will want that role. ‘[Streeting and Burnham] are amiable to each other, and obviously Wes is close to the Lisa Nandy’s of this world, but you don’t want to end up in a situation with the same thing Starmer had where there’s a lack of a cohesive narrative in government.’ On Sunday, it was revealed that major trade unions have demanded that the job not be given to Ed Miliband, warning he would ‘decimate’ British industry after his Net Zero drive under Keir Starmer. Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, warned: ‘In my view, a Labour chancellor needs a vision for Britain that understands the skills we have, nurtures those skills and sees Britain as an industrial force that can lead in industries, not decimate them.’ A Labour MP also warned they would be willing to pull their support for Mr Burnham were it to emerge he is intent on appointing Mr Miliband to No. 11 Downing Street, on the grounds that the Energy Secretary does not understand the problems facing British industry. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 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? 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