Make ‘bold’ Miliband chancellor, ex-Treasury adviser tells Burnham

A former chief economic adviser to the Treasury has called on Andy Burnham to appoint Ed Miliband as chancellor, arguing the energy secretary has a “bold” vision to revive the economy.

- Phillip Inman

Nicholas Stern, a professor at the London School of Economics who was a Senior figure in the Treasury during Gordon Brown’s tenure, said only Miliband had the experience and the vision to accelerate investment and rebuild public trust in the state’s ability to “get things done”.

Burnham has yet to say who would be his chancellor if he becomes prime minister this month. Miliband, the former health secretary Wes Streeting and the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, have all been tipped to replace Rachel Reeves.

Stern, who is also a former chief economist at the World Bank, joined a growing number of senior academics and officials calling for Miliband to be handed the keys to No 11 and take control of the government’s £1.4tn annual spending.