Andy Burnham appoints hard-line socialists as aides after purging Labour from Starmerites
Andy Burnham has appointed a series of hard-line socialists as his closest aides after purging Starmerites from ministerial posts.
The new Prime Minister last night catapulted three members of the Socialist Campaign Group as ministerial aides in No10.
The group is home to staunch allies of Jeremy Corbyn, including John McDonnell, Diane Abbott, and Kate Osborne.
It repeatedly rebelled against all three 21st century Labour Prime Ministers, and its current members have campaigned for slavery reparations, against Israel and even visited communist Cuba as part of an "aid" flotilla.
But the new parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) will be in line to receive a taxpayer-funded salary, alongside a flurry of media appearances and parliamentary roles.
The MPs could even contribute more directly to policy-making.
In a letter published by Downing Street, Anneliese Midgley, Mr Burnham's brand-new Chief Whip, said she would "strengthen and elevate" the role to curate a "genuine culture of one Labour team".
She said: "Our aim has been to assemble a diverse and talented group of PPSs, bringing together a broad range of experience, expertise and perspectives to support ministers and help deliver the Prime Minister’s agenda."
The trio announced last night were Olivia Blake, who joins as a Local Government PPS, Mary Kelly Foy, who joins as a Housing PPS, and Steve Witherden, who joins as an Energy PPS.
With his new team in tow, Mr Burnham has been accused of "unceremoniously" ousting the allies of his predecessor.
GB News analysis also reveals 13 of the 64 newly appointed junior ministers rebelled against Sir Keir Starmer's proposed cuts to welfare last year by signing an amendment to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill.
Around 15 MPs who served as PPSs under Sir Keir will not return to Government, while other Starmerites have come out swinging against Mr Burnham's appointments.
Before becoming Prime Minister, the Makerfield MP promised to craft a "broad church" across his top team to put intra-party factionalism to bed.
Mr Burnham's rise to power, as a result, led to rumours that the "King of the North" could re-install those who were expelled by Sir Keir, including Ms Abbott and Karl Turner.
He said: "I do think the Labour movement has to draw on all parts of it when we're in Government.
"I remember Tony Blair’s most difficult days. Dennis Skinner would come out and rally the troops. I think we need to get back to that. I’m not a factional person."
Yet, Mr Burnham booted out a slew of Sir Keir's allies within hours of ascending to the top job, including Darren Jones, Steve Reed, Rachel Reeves and David Lammy.
The new list of PPSs have infuriated a number of the Prime Minister's MPs, as Tulip Siddiq, one of Sir Keir's former ministers.
The MP for Hampstead and Highgate said: "It's been extremely frustrating to see so many competent people unceremoniously sacked from Government.
"This latest list showing sacked PPSs makes me despair in particular because PPSing is not a glamorous job and so many of these MPs just got on with it, put in the hours and would have been an asset to any Labour Government."
Meanwhile, MP for Bishop Auckland, Sam Rushworth, said the latest appointments "reveal a lot about his character and the qualities, I assume he values".