Andy Burnham's return to Westminster has unleashed a frenetic scramble for influence, with Labour MPs, trade unions, Whitehall officials, and think tanks vying for his attention in the run-up to what is expected to be a coronation as Labour leader within three weeks. As he settles into his new office on the top floor of Portcullis House, overlooking Big Ben, Burnham's small team – estimated at just half a dozen core members with others assisting on an intermittent basis – is struggling to cope with the sheer volume of demands.
The pace has been described as 'laying down a new train track simultaneously with driving the train at 200mph' by one ally. Sources close to Burnham's operation confirm that the situation is a 'deluge' of requests, with his team battling to sift through over 100 policy submissions received since the recent by-election. This has raised concerns within the think tank community about a 'bandwidth problem', where there is too much material and insufficient personnel to give each proposal the attention it deserves.
Prominent figures are already making their mark on the policy landscape, with Miatta Fahnbulleh – former chief of a leading think tank and ex-minister under the previous leadership – and Josh Simons, former Makerfield MP, working closely with Burnham to draw up policy proposals. The appointment of James Purnell, a former Blairite Cabinet Minister, as Burnham's chief of staff has been welcomed by the party's right wing but has caused unease among those on the left, highlighting the delicate balancing act Burnham faces as he consolidates his power base.
Internally, there is a mix of excitement and anxiety among Labour MPs. Many are eager to present new policy ideas or secure jobs in the next government, leading to what one described as a 'massive bunfight for influence'. Tensions across the party's ideological spectrum are evident, with some voicing concerns that Burnham's team may struggle to manage the competing demands and ensure a cohesive policy agenda.