Andy Burnham accused of 'demanding' Prime Minister job: 'Who does he think he is?'

Andy Burnham has been accused of "demanding" the role of Prime Minister after being sworn in as Makerfield's new MP.

Speaking to GB News, former Political Editor of The Sun, Trevor Kavanagh, hit out at the newly elected Member of Parliament, asking: "Who does he think he is?"

As it stands, Mr Burnham remains unchallenged in his leadership bid following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation.

GB News understands the pair held secret "face-to-face talks" to ensure a "smooth transition of power".

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The pair reportedly held an hour-long "off-site" discussion, not in Downing Street.

The Prime Minister has already authorised access talks between Whitehall officials and his would-be successors, including Mr Burnham, who could become Prime Minister by mid July if no contest is put forward by other members.

Sir Keir has told his Cabinet he wanted an "orderly transition", and insisted he would try to make the process "as easy as possible" for his successor.

Asked whether Sir Keir was concerned about the work of Government grinding to a halt during the transition process, his official spokesman said the "normal business of Government continues".

Reacting to Mr Burnham's bid for No10, Mr Kavanagh told GB News that the likely new Prime Minister will be "sauntering into the lion's den".

He said: "The public is already beginning to wonder what the hell he thinks he's doing.

"Who does he think he is, simply demanding the job as Prime Minister and what are his credentials?

"He isn't a fresh face and the latest opinion polls seem to show that Labour and Andy Burnham himself has made a terrible mistake here."

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Citing the latest political polling, Mr Kavanagh argued that the move has subsequently "backfired" on the Labour Party.

He explained: "According to the latest YouGov Poll, Reform has gone up a point to 25, this is over the last 48 hours as all of this began to unfold.

"The Tories are up one on 20, and Labour are languishing one down on 18. So this is backfired, I think."

Mr Kavanagh predicted: "The clunky party that Keir Starmer has led to ruin is bumping along the runway.

"And I think it'll still be on the runway when it finishes at the end of the year trying to take off. It just isn't working."

Mr Burnham is set to make his first public appearance since being sworn in at a rally in Clapham, according to reports from The Sun.

MP nominations for the Labour leadership are taking place between July 9 and 15, with a hustings event on July 13, according to a leaked contest timetable.

This is followed by union nominations on July 15 and 16, before a special conference confirming the result on July 17, where Mr Burnham could be made Prime Minister that day.

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