Fiscal hawk or big spender – what kind of chancellor will John Healey be?

The diligent, popular, unexpected pick for the Treasury has been given a straitjacket – and the job of funding the PM’s policy promises

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On the frequent occasions that John Healey would travel abroad as defence secretary, he was so determined to keep working he would get the crew to tether a desk to the inside of his military aircraft so he could read his papers.

His diligence is one reason why Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, made Healey https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/20/andy-burnham-vows-to-bring-back-hope-as-he-unveils-his-cabinet">his unexpected pick for chancellor on Monday.

Allies say others include their shared commitment to re-industrialisation and devolution.