Burnham's entourage! Teenage girl who founded the Ed Miliband fan club accompanies PM-to-be on triumphant train ride

By MATT STRUDWICK, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER Published: 16:46, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 16:57, 22 June 2026 She was the Ed Miliband superfan who once described the Net Zero crusader as her 'idol'.  But now Abby Tomlinson seems to be at the forefront of Andy Burnham's team as the former Manchester mayor looks to become the next Prime Minister.  The university graduate was pictured pulling along a wheeled suitcase with the newly elected Makerfield MP's name written on it as he boarded a train to London. And once they arrived in the capital Ms Tomlinson was spotted sitting in the back of a black cab with Mr Burnham as they headed to Westminster for him to be sworn in as an MP.  Ms Tomlinson is Keir Starmer's former Special Advisor and started the viral online 'Milifandom' in 2015 when she was aged 17.  She got to meet her hero that year, where she gushed that Mr Miliband had exceeded her 'sky high' expectations.  The pair enjoyed lunch in the capital and were spotted posing for selfies outside the Houses of Parliament.  Such was her love for the former Labour leader, she confessed how she had not slept on the night Mr Miliband lost the general election.  'I don’t know when I’m going to get over that feeling of loss, that sick, hollow feeling in my stomach, when I think about what could have been,' she wrote in May 2015.  'Ed Miliband was the best prime minister we never had.' But her attention nowadays is on the PM-to-be, with her X account littered with videos and reposts of Mr Burnham on the campaign trail during the Makerfield by-election.  Ms Tomlinson had previously interviewed Mr Burnham for her YouTube channel Westminster Abby, and she called herself a 'Fandy' when she backed him to become Labour leader ahead of Jeremy Corbyn.  Andy Burnham is flanked by Ed Miliband superfan Abby Tomlinson (right) and local councillor Angela Moran (left) before he boards a train to London today  Ms Tomlinson beams as she meets her 'idol' Ed Miliband in 2015. She started the 'Milifandom' movement that year  Ms Tomlinson is Keir Starmer 's former Special Advisor and started the viral online 'Milifandom' in 2015 when she was aged 17 Ms Tomlinson graduated from the University of York with a bachelor's degree in social and political sciences in 2019 and ran Labour's 'organic content team' during the party's election campaign.  According to her LinkedIn, she was then made head of digital before becoming Sir Keir's SPAD in January 2025 for an eight-month stint.    Ms Tomlinson stayed sitting in the back of the taxi as Mr Burnham exited the cab behind long-time Labour staffer Grace Pritchard, who had previously worked for Mr Miliband.  She is thought to be lined up to become his press secretary.  Others vying for a spot in Mr Burnham's team include local councillor Angela Moran, who was also snapped walking alongside him today at Manchester Piccadilly station. She is the Labour representative for Northenden, Benchill, and Northern Moor on Manchester City Council. She serves as the Deputy Executive Member for Finance and Resources.   Josh Simons, who stood down from his Makerfield seat to make way for Mr Burnham, could also be rewarded with a role at No10.   Mr Burnham today dodged questions on whether he will trigger a snap general election. He finally donned a suit rather than his trademark T-shirt and jeans and was cheered as he arrived in the Commons to be officially sworn in as an MP. He took the oath on the bible, pledging allegiance to the King. And Labour MPs then gathered in Westminster Hall for a mass selfie, including an awkward-looking Rachel Reeves - but no Starmer. As he arrived in London earlier Mr Burnham was grilled on his previous calls for a national poll when Tory leaders were replaced. Asked if he would stand by the commitment if he replaces Sir Keir, he blustered: 'You're jumping several hurdles ahead there.' Ms Tomlinson (right) sat in the back of a taxi with Mr Burnham and long-time Labour staffer Grace Pritchard (left), who had previously worked for Mr Miliband Josh Simons, who stood down from his Makerfield seat to make way for Mr Burnham, could also be rewarded with a role at No10 Local councillor Angela Moran was also snapped walking alongside Mr Burnham today at Manchester Piccadilly station In a moment of political drama this morning, the PM announced his resignation with a speech in Downing Street. Former health secretary Wes Streeting then declared he will not seek Labour's top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham instead. The announcement makes it far more likely that the former Greater Manchester Mayor will be in No10 by this time next month. Mr Streeting had claimed he was able to gain the 81 nominations from Labour MPs needed to force a full contest, but it is far from clear other candidates will make the threshold. Jockeying has been gearing up over who will be in Mr Burnham's Cabinet, as he closes in on taking over from Sir Keir after his dramatic victory in the Makerfield by-election. The Chancellor role will be critical, with Ms Reeves' lobbying to stay in the job seemingly having failed. Some in Labour are alarmed that Ed Miliband could get the nod, with his views perceived as 'Soviet'. Yvette Cooper is seen as another option to be moved from the Foreign Office. Angela Rayner is also being tipped for a big post, while former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh - who helped run the Makerfield campaign - will make a comeback. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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