The old mate Andy Burnham has tapped to run his Downing Street

Andy Burnham has selected James Purnell to serve as his chief of staff at Downing Street if he becomes prime minister. Burnham and Purnell, longtime political allies who worked under Tony Blair, share a history of collaboration, including helping Burnham secure a parliamentary seat in 2001. Purnell, currently a university vice-chancellor and former Labour minister, is described as a Blairite and cross-factional operator.