Dugher to manage Burnham’s leadership campaign

Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher will be Andy Burnham’s campaign manager in the race for Labour leader. Burnham will be focussing his campaign around “reconnecting with people” – and the aim will be to utilise those who are backing him that can help do that.

Other early Burnham backers include Shadow Health Minister Luciana Berger (who will be focussed on campaigns and engaging younger voters), Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith (who will be looking at questions around the future of the UK) and the new Shadow Justice Secretary Lord Falconer (a former flatmate of Tony Blair) will bring experience to the campaign team.

Burnham’s team believe that they’re assembling a team of talents from across the party – and as the campaign progresses in the coming days, we understand their focus will be on dealing with immigration, and Labour’s relationship with business.