Andy Burnham’s Westminster takeover is set to be led by a team of ‘strong Northern power women,’ with an axed former Cabinet minister at the fore.

Louise Haigh has become a key player behind Mr Burnham’s return to the corridors of power, and is expected to have a major role in his top team should he take Keir Starmer’s job. 

Sheffield Heeley MP since 2015, Ms Haigh was front and centre of Mr Burnham’s victory speech yesterday morning, sporting a new toned-down, serious look.

Gone was the striking red hair that marked her out in Westminster – as proud of dying her own hair at home as she is – replaced by a more demure red, clipped shoulder-length cut signalling her preparedness for a top role in government.

Mr Burnham’s pending premiership will also be a breakthrough return for the former transport secretary, after she was forced out in disgrace just months after the election.

She was the first departure from Sir Keir’s Government after admitting she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago, relating to claims of a stolen mobile phone when she worked for insurance giant Aviva. 

She had lied to police that her work mobile had been stolen. Thanking Ms Haigh and others for their crucial role in his election victory, Mr Burnham branded his key supporters ‘a band of strong, Northern power women’.

He warned: ‘I wouldn’t mess with them – and I suggest that you don’t either!’

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh, the former Transport Secretary, is eyeing a top job in a potential Burnham-led governement 

Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell arrives at Stubshaw Cross during the Makerfield by-election on June 18

Also flanking Mr Burnham was Anneliese Midgley, who co-ran the political operation in Makerfield over the past five weeks.

A much newer face in Westminster than Ms Haigh, Ms Midgley entered the Commons in 2024 after serving as a senior trade union official.

It has been reported that she is set to take on the crucial role of Chief Whip, with rumours in Westminster that she is in possession of a notebook containing the details of Mr Burnham’s first reshuffle.

Expected to be joining them in Mr Burnham’s Cabinet is Lucy Powell, a fellow Mancunian who was elected deputy Labour leader last year and has been one of the most active campaigners for the now former Mayor of Greater Manchester over recent weeks.

Angela Rayner, another Mancunian, has also been accused of angling for a job in Mr Burnham’s administration, after she was seen campaigning for him multiple times.

And the former Manchester Mayor’s policing chief, Kate Green, has been spoken of as a potential chief of staff for Mr Burnham’s Downing Street operation. 

Speaking to journalists following the victory speech, Ms Haigh repeated accusations that Keir Starmer had overseen a ‘boys’ club’ in Westminster that had routinely briefed against, and undermined, senior female Labour politicians.

She said: ‘Andy has absolutely put a change of politics on the ballot paper at the by-election, and we have to challenge the culture that has been set by the Government, and unfortunately in the Labour Party.

Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley (right) and Ms Haigh are pictured at Ashton Town Football Club before Mr Burnham celebrates his victory in yesterday’s Makerfield by-election

Mr Burnham arrives with his wife Marie-France van Heel at Ashton Town Football Club ground

‘I’ve talked previously about the boys’ club that has led misogynistic and sexist briefings against colleagues from across government. 

‘That hasn’t changed, and Andy Burnham and the team here have modelled that change in culture.’

But Labour veteran Harriet Harman was still demanding a female candidate on the leadership ballot paper.

The former Labour deputy told the BBC: ‘There must be a woman in the contest… we cannot have a male beauty parade again.’

Allies of Sir Keir have repeatedly rejected the ‘boys’ club’ allegation, insisting there are ‘highly qualified and capable women in No 10’.