Andy Burnham is facing a major backlash from the Left of his party if he picks Shabana Mahmood for his chancellor.
Rachael Maskell became the first Left-wing backbencher to publicly criticise his potential choice and back Energy Secretary Ed Miliband instead.
The York MP said Home Secretary Ms Mahmood would not be the ‘right person for Chancellor’ and said Mr Miliband would be a ‘suitable candidate’.
It leaves PM-in-waiting Mr Burnham facing the challenge of how to keep his party happy without causing market turmoil.
On the eve of his coronation as Labour leader, little is still known about who he is likely to
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