Burnham appoints Purnell as chief of staff, reigniting Blair-era coalition

Andy Burnham has appointed James Purnell as his chief of staff, a position that will take effect should Burnham become prime minister. The decision reunites the two former Labour ministers, who were central figures in the 'Demon Eyes' football team established in the late 1990s. The appointment has drawn attention to the continued prominence of the Blair-era cohort within the party, with some observers and former teammates expressing concern that the reliance on this specific group indicates a struggle to recruit new talent.

The 'Demon Eyes' squad was formed in 1998 by Purnell and Tim Allan, who is now Keir Starmer’s director of communications. The team served as a social and networking hub for New Labour advisers and politicians, including Ed Balls, David Miliband, and Philip Collins. Named after a Conservative attack poster depicting Tony Blair with devilish red eyes, the group played home matches in north London and was known for its competitive nature and political discussions in the changing rooms.

Patrick Hennessy, a former Labour adviser, described Burnham as a "fast attacker with good finishing" and Purnell as a "decent centre-back" who was "very, very dogged." Hennessy, who captained a rival team of political journalists, noted that the two were at the core of a team that was determined to win. One former teammate suggested that their roles in the coming government would reflect their positions on the pitch, with Purnell acting as a determined defender and Burnham as an attacker who enjoyed attention.

While the team originally consisted of Blairites, it later recruited non-Blairites to improve its footballing ability. Many original members have since left Westminster politics for other careers, though some, such as Jake Richards, have remained in senior government roles. The appointment highlights a contrast with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, an Arsenal supporter who has historically preferred playing with smaller groups of non-political friends, whereas Burnham, a passionate Evertonian, was a core member of the larger squad.

Some observers worry that the continued dominance of this specific group suggests the Labour party is struggling to develop new leadership. One former player remarked, "Thirty years on we are still talking about that one team. You would have thought we might have moved on by now." The appointment underscores how Labour’s modern history is still being shaped by those who first propelled it to power in 1997.