Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run

Three economic heavyweights have been brought in to advise Andy Burnham as he attempts to reassure the markets before his possible return to parliament on Friday and challenge to Keir Starmer . Burnham is understood to be getting advice from Andy Haldane , a former Bank of England chief economist, as well as Richard Hughes, a former chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility and Jim O’Neill, a crossbench peer and former Treasury minister who worked on George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse. Andy Haldane on the 8 June edition of ITV’s Peston current affairs show. Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/Shutterstock Burnham’s decision to bolster his team of economic advisers, first reported by Bloomberg and the FT, suggests he is keen to signal his fiscal credibility before Friday’s result. The extent of their involvement in drafting economic plans is not yet clear. The Greater Manchester mayor is hoping to come back to parliament as an MP on Friday if he wins the Makerfield byelection against a challenge from Reform, whose vote has been split by the hard-right Restore Britain party. If he succeeds, No 10 and the Treasury will be closely watching the bond markets on Friday morning for any sign that gilt investors are worried about higher borrowing or the economic instability brought about by a possible change in leader and chancellor. If he wins the seat, Burnham is expected to attempt to oust the prime minister within weeks, first trying to persuade him to stand down. …