The Labour leadership hopeful's career highs and lows

1998: He becomes a special adviser He is appointed special adviser to Chris Smith, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

May 2001: He becomes an MP He is elected to the safe Labour seat of Leigh

2001-2003: Health select committee His first important role was to become a member of the health select committee

2003-2004: Parliamentary Private Secretary Mr Burnham then served as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Home Secretary David Blunkett until 2004

2004: Another promotion He became Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Education Secretary Ruth Kelly

May 2005: First Government post After the 2005 general election, he was promoted to the post of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Home Office

2006: Health minister appointment Mr Burnham was moved to become a Minister of State at the Department of Health.

2007: Chief Secretary to the Treasury Burnham was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, a position he held until 2008

2008: Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Yet another promotion for Mr Burnham

2009: Secretary of State for Health In 2009, he was promoted again to become Secretary of State for Health

2010: Labour leadership contender Mr Burnham entered the 2010 Labour leadership contest, in which he came fourth out of five candidates. Ed Miliband won the role.

Burnham served as Shadow Secretary of State for Health until late 2010