Andy Burnham called out the “wild speculation” from the press lobby about who he might appoint to key positions should he become prime minister.
On Monday, the Makerfield MP gave his first major policy speech since launching his bid to become prime minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation.
With Burnham seemingly set to be unopposed in the contest, he could become prime minister in just a matter of weeks.
In his speech in Manchester, Burnham said he will “give Britain the circuit breaker it needs” by building a “more collaborative politics in Westminster” and “taking power out of the centre.”
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The former Greater Manchester Mayor took aim at “Whitehall culture” in a speech in which his main message was helping to give more power to other regions of the UK and deliver the “biggest re-balancing the country has seen.”
Burnham also confirmed plans for a ‘Number 10 North’ based in Manchester, which will “make power flow into the Midlands, into the South West, into the East of England, and into London.”
Ahead of his seeming coronation as prime minister, there has been plenty of reporting in the press and media about who Burnham will appoint to his cabinet and team.
At one point, Burnham decided to call out the speculation with a tongue in cheek remark to the press.
Burnham said he would involve “more people in the work of government” and draw on the “depth and breadth of talent and expertise our party has to offer.”
He continued: “While the political direction I set is not up for negotiation, I will build an inclusive team at the very highest level so that all parts of the party and the country can see themselves reflected and represented in it.”
Burnham then said: “And may I say, I will not announce those decisions on appointments, certainly not today and indeed not until the end of this process.
“So until then, feel free to discount the wild speculation in circulation.
He added “Message for the back of the room there – good morning Mr Mason,” in a joking nod to the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason.