Will Darren Jones be in the Burnham cabinet? Odds jumped to 43% on Jul 20, 2026

EXC: As we wait for Andy Burnham to walk up Downing Street, have a read insider his preparations for power • • - Over the last three weeks, in conversations with his new MP colleagues, Burnham has been in walkie-talkie receive mode – with muted transmission. That's about to change. • • - Behind the scenes, one insider describes Burnham’s approach as “rather like” John F Kennedy, America’s 35th president. “Andy is impressed by what people can do for their country rather than the other way around,” they said. • • - Cabinet ministers who have approached him modestly, without demands for a job, are likely to do well. Shabana Mahmood, Darren Jones and Wes Streeting fall into this category. • • - Other ministers who made demands or briefed too strongly they should remain in post, "gave him and his team the ick,” an insider said • • - A mass exodus of ministers expected as Burnham is at his most powerful. “Anyone who is in the current Cabinet by implication did not help Andy get into No 10. He has to get lots of new people in and therefore anyone who is offered a job will take what they’re given and be grateful,” a Government source said. • • - “The main difference is vibes, but that isn’t as superficial as you think,” adds a Labour MP. “Getting things done and getting the credit for them is key.” • • + More in the long-read here •