Andy Burnham Chooses Labour Friends of Israel Ex-Chair James Purnell as Chief of Staff
UK Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham has reportedly chosen former minister James Purnell, a former chair of Labour Friends of Israel, to serve as his chief of staff, according to media reports.
Purnell, who previously held cabinet roles under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including at the Department for Work and Pensions and as culture secretary, is said to have agreed to take the position. He has also worked in senior roles outside politics, including at the BBC and as chief executive of lobbying firm Flint Global, from which he reportedly resigned ahead of the appointment.
The move comes as Burnham prepares for a potential leadership transition and is assembling a team that includes figures from different wings of the Labour Party. Chief of staff is expected to be a key role in shaping strategy and government operations.
Purnell has a long political background in Labour, including serving as chair of Labour Friends of Israel and voting in support of the Iraq War. His past comments on Middle East policy and Israel-Palestine issues have drawn renewed attention amid debates over Labour’s foreign policy direction.
Burnham himself has previously been associated with both Labour Friends of Israel and the Council for Arab-British Understanding, and has taken more critical positions on Israel in recent years, including calling for a Gaza ceasefire in 2023.
His potential premiership is expected to bring closer scrutiny of Labour’s stance on Middle East policy, though key foreign policy appointments, including foreign secretary, have yet to be confirmed.
