There’s been much comment on the appointment of James Purnell as Andy Burnham’s chief of staff. Along with the widely touted return of David Miliband, it’s a sign of how the near-certain next Prime Minister is going back to the future, recruiting fellow cabinet ministers from the last time Burnham was in government, under Gordon Brown.

There are plenty within the Labour party who have grave doubts about his suitability for the job of PM

There are plenty within the Labour party who have grave doubts about his suitability for the job of PM

But Purnell’s appointment has another resonance, one which should be less to Burham’s liking. In the context of Burnham’s ascent to the premiership, Purnell’s most relevant contribution to British politics was not his time as Work of Pensions Secretary but, rather, his resignation.

In June 2009, on the night of a disastrous performance by Labour in the local and European elections, Purnell left the government, with one specific purpose. Brown should, he said, “stand aside to give our party a fighting chance of winning the........

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