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The forthcoming appointment of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to a ministerial role in Andy Burnham’s government, facilitated by a seat in the House of Lords, highlights the elevation of another prominent figure involved in the political shift that led to Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister. Sarwar’s public call for Starmer to step down in February marked a critical moment that threatened the former prime minister’s hold on power.
At that time, it appeared that Sarwar’s statement might trigger an immediate and irreversible loss of authority for Starmer. However, cabinet ministers quickly rallied, publicly expressing their support through social media. As noted in a previous analysis, such declarations of loyalty from ministers generally go unnoticed unless there is a genuine possibility of a leadership collapse. Now, half a year later, Sarwar is transitioning from his role in Holyrood to Westminster while joining the ranks of government.
Sarwar will be serving alongside individuals like Miatta Fahnbulleh, Burnham’s energy secretary, who was notably the first to resign from Starmer’s administration amid a loss of confidence. Other key figures in Burnham’s cabinet, including Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband—who advised Starmer in the final weeks to acknowledge that his time was limited—also have connections to the period leading up to Starmer’s departure. Additionally, John Healey and Wes Streeting, who resigned as defence and health secretaries respectively during Starmer’s final days in office, now hold prominent cabinet positions as chancellor and defence secretary.
Amid these changes, Steve Reed, former communities secretary and staunch supporter of Starmer during challenging times, conveyed a message to Andy Burnham upon leaving government: “I hope those who did not show loyalty to Keir will now show it to you. I am proud that I acted with integrity at every step over the turbulent past few months.” While Burnham currently enjoys widespread support among Labour MPs, Reed’s remarks suggest underlying feelings of personal disappointment and frustration following recent political upheavals. This atmosphere affects people differently, influenced by their individual perspectives and experiences. Furthermore, the public criticism by Darren Jones, another loyalist to Starmer, regarding the funding of the government’s planned VAT cut on electricity bills is also reflective of the complex dynamics at play. Although the leadership transition within Labour was relatively swift and lacked a formal challenge, the repercussions of the process continue to resonate within the party
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