The UK’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, has appointed John Healey as chancellor of the exchequer. His pick to fill the UK’s top economic post was something of a surprise: if we were to believe the speculation, the choice was between a minister with strong views on the economy – Ed Miliband – and a pragmatist with solid managerial credentials – Shabana Mahmood.
Healey, however, is an MP with cabinet experience – and more of a pragmatist like Mahmood than an ideologue like Miliband.
