When government leadership shifts, observing the actions of former ministers is essential to understanding the political landscape. Andy Burnham has barely begun his tenure as Prime Minister, yet he is already facing public criticism from a prominent ally of his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
Darren Jones, formerly the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, took to social media to acknowledge Burnham’s proposal to remove VAT from household electricity bills. While Jones conceded that the policy would assist families and help manage inflation, he immediately challenged the financial viability of the new government’s agenda. Specifically, Jones pointed to the Digital ID program, which he claimed lacked secured funding, and demanded that the administration clarify its budget plans.
This critique carries weight, as the Office for Budget Responsibility previously highlighted a lack of explicit funding for the £0.6 billion annual cost of Digital ID cards. Although this issue originated during the Starmer administration, the responsibility now falls on Burnham to explain how he intends to finance his policy commitments. This friction emerges shortly after leadership calls for unity within the Labour Party following a reshuffle that saw many of Sir Keir Starmer’s closest associates moved aside to make way for a new cabinet, which includes Wes Streeting as the new defence secretary.
