Louise Haigh: Labour power broker behind Burnham's rise
Louise Haigh has been appointed as the first secretary of state in Andy Burnham's new cabinet following a period of political turbulence. Her return marks a significant comeback after her resignation as transport secretary in 2024 due to a past fraud conviction.
Why it matters
This appointment highlights the internal power dynamics of the Labour party and the strategic alliance between Burnham and his key political allies.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock By Paul Seddon Political reporter Published 20 July 2026 Louise Haigh had enjoyed a stratospheric political rise before her ministerial career came to a juddering halt shortly after Labour's return to power.
She became the youngest-ever female cabinet minister at the age of 36, but resigned as transport secretary just four months into the role, after it emerged she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence during her twenties.
Now Andy Burnham has brought her back into government with a big job running the Cabinet Office and the title of first secretary of state, denoting her senior rank.
It cements the Sheffield MP's place at the heart of Burnham's cabinet, having been among a tiny circle of key allies entrusted with holding "access talks" with civil servants ahead of his arrival in Downing Street.
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