Andy Burnham can’t be a people pleaser and Prime Minister – something’s got to give.TA
OPINION – JONATHAN SAXTY: Perhaps today we’ll discover where our latest PM stands on key UK issues… but I wouldn’t hold your breath
Andy Burnham brings anything but stability, writes Jonathan Saxty (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham brings anything but stability When he becomes Prime Minister today, he will say he offers the UK much needed stability. But how can a people pleaser – promising all things to all sides – offer anything like that? One minute, the so-called ‘king of the north’ wants to nationalise Thames Water, cut bus fares and expand the welfare state. The next he wants to expand oil drilling, much to the consternation of his colleagues.
We still don’t know where he really stands immigration, Europe or trans rights. Burnham has U-turned on his U-turns so many times the poor man must have vertigo. As for his signature devolutionary policy of ‘Manchesterism’ are any of us clear what this means beyond holding a few meetings up north?
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He says he will stick to Sir Keir’s 2024 manifesto but also offers bold radical change. So which is it? And why is he running from an election if he is confident of beating Reform?
Burnham’s speech on Friday upon becoming Labour leader was a platitude-fest of fuzzy soundbites which could mean almost anything. And thanks to a largely sympathetic press, Burnham has so far only contended with softball questions, unable or unwilling to tell his new subjects what he actually plans to do.
So far from much talked about stability, as PM Burnham brings uncertainty, a lack of vision and a lack of urgency about the problems Britain faces. We need to know where he stands on small boat crossings, defence, taxes and crime. Not simply whether he will focus on “big things” and “being us”.
Maybe today we’ll find out where our new leader’s head is at. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.
