Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed three members of Labour's Socialist Campaign Group to junior government roles, marking a significant step towards unifying the party's diverse factions. This is the first occasion that representatives from Labour's most left-wing caucus, historically associated with former leader Jeremy Corbyn, have held positions within a Labour government.
The three new Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) are Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, who will serve as PPS for Local Government; Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham, appointed to Housing; and Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, who takes on the role for Energy. PPSs are traditionally the most junior government roles, often acting as a liaison between ministers and backbench MPs, and are frequently seen as a training ground for aspiring politicians.
The appointments come alongside an announcement from the new Chief Whip, Anneliese Midgley, that the role of PPSs will be enhanced. These aides are now expected to undertake more media appearances, engage in parliamentary duties, and contribute more directly to policy development, moving beyond their traditional behind-the-scenes functions. Ms Midgley stated that all appointments were made in consultation with Cabinet ministers, aiming to build a "genuine culture of one Labour team" and bring together a diverse range of experience.
Prime Minister Burnham has previously articulated his desire to overcome the factional divisions that characterised the Labour party under both Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer. While his Cabinet already includes several figures from the party's soft left, such as Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell, and Angela Rayner, the inclusion of Socialist Campaign Group members in these junior roles signals a broader commitment to drawing on all parts of the Labour movement. Mr Burnham has frequently spoken of his non-factional approach, aiming to unify people and foster collaboration within the party.
Despite the strategic aim of unity, some MPs have expressed frustration regarding the number of new MPs who have lost their previous roles. Notably, Abena Oppong-Asare, who served as Sir Keir Starmer's PPS, was among those removed. Former minister Tulip Siddiq commented on the "frustrating" nature of these changes, particularly highlighting the removal of the first black woman to be a Prime Minister's PPS, suggesting that many competent individuals had been unceremoniously dismissed.