When it comes to politicians, senior appointments often tell you more than public pronouncements. Andy Burnham has only been Prime Minister for two weeks, but he has just installed one of the most pro-establishment cabinets in Labour Party history.
From Defence Minister to Chancellor
John Healey’s resignation as Defence Minister, prompted by Keir Starmer’s refusal to plough more of the national budget into military spending, directly precipitated the downfall of Burnham’s predecessor.
In August 2024, Healey, a long-time supporter of Labour Friends of Israel, met with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss preserving “intelligence co-operation”.
Burnham just made him Chancellor of the Exchequer, the most senior role in his cabinet.
Miliband’s return
Ed Miliband also received a significant role, and is now in charge of Burnham’s foreign policy. Labour Friends of Israel were one of the first to offer their congratulations.
In 2014, Miliband took an LFI-funded trip to occupied Palestine alongside Jennifer Gerber, a former special adviser to Burnham who is still a director of LFI today.
Miliband met with both Benjamin Netanyahu and Isaac Herzog. Gerber said at the time:
It was a privilege for Labour Friends of Israel to join.
Miliband was joined on the trip by Douglas Alexander, another Burnham cabinet pick. In 2013, speaking alongside then Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub at LFI’s annual lunch, Alexander said that the settler state should be “celebrated” and called for deepened ties.
Dan Jarvis, security minister
Burnham ally Dan Jarvis is another long-time supporter of the LFI. In May, he spoke at an event celebrating the 1948 ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians, declaring that the Labour Party:
has long been an advocate of the Jewish state.
In June, it was reported that Jarvis had:
made himself available to deliver speeches at functions put on by the Board of Deputies and other communal organisations in the Westminister [sic].
After Healey resigned, Starmer had promoted Jarvis to Defence Secretary. Now, Burnham has moved him back to Security Minister.
Diana Johnson, health minister
Diana Johnson is a current Labour Friends of Israel vice-chair. In 2021, she praised Starmer’s speech at the LFI annual lunch and claimed that:
support for Israel…[is not] the preserve of any one wing or faction in the party.
Burnham just appointed her as a Minister in the Department of Health.
Wes Streeting, defence minister
In 2022, Wes Streeting was the first member of Starmer’s shadow cabinet to accept an LFI-funded trip. On July 13th, he registered yet another £14,500 worth of “donations” from veteran pro-Israeli lobbyist Trevor Chinn.
Burnham has made him Defence Minister.
Dan Tomlinson, cabinet secretary
In 2024, Dan Tomlinson received £6250 from Chinn, and ex-LFI director Jonathan Mendelsohn gave another £2000 through his Red Capital Ltd. firm.
Burnham just made him a cabinet secretary.
Jo White, Home Office minister
Jo White is another vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, who last week published a new paper suggesting that a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements is:
practically and politically impossible.
In 2024, White received “donations” from a string of lobbyists: £8350 from Chinn, £5000 from Stuart Roden, and £2000 from Trevor Pears.
Burnham just made her a Home Office minister.
John Mann, antisemitism advisor
White is married to John Mann, the ex-Labour MP for her Bassetlaw seat.
In 2017, Mann accepted £5000 from then Labour Together director Chinn. In 2013, he was hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Now, he is Burnham’s Antisemitism Adviser.
Israeli lobby has nothing to worry about
Starmer’s Justice Minister, David Lammy, has been replaced by Alex Norris, another supporter of Labour Friends of Israel. LFI stalwart Pat McFadden and gambling advocate Fiona Twycross have also joined the cabinet.
Burnham has wasted no time in reversing the stale image of Starmer’s failed administration. Behind the social media gloss, however, his appointments tell a truer tale: the lobby has nothing to worry about.
Featured image via the Canary
From Canary via This RSS Feed.