DAILY MAIL COMMENT: The PM is sharing missile blueprints with Kyiv...it's Burnham's rocket to Russian tyranny

Published: 00:39, 25 August 2026 | Updated: 00:54, 25 August 2026 Nothing about Andy Burnham's first days in Downing Street suggested any great impulse for making a mark on the international stage. With cut-price bus fares, reduced electricity bills and sundry other gimmicks to announce, there appeared to be precious little time for global issues in the new Prime Minister's schedule. Yet, after several weeks in which he has concentrated almost exclusively on home affairs, it is heartening to see Mr Burnham boldly sharing classified information on missile components with Ukraine. There is, of course, a large element of pragmatism in this act. Both physically and morally, the Kyiv administration is effectively the front line of defence against the threat from Russia to Western Europe. The extra firepower may yet prove to be the catalyst for the end of the Putin regime if a jaded Russian populace finds itself under increasing attack. But the PM's initiative is also important as a symbolic act of ongoing solidarity. With Boris Johnson being the first G7 leader to visit Kyiv following the outbreak of the war, Britain has been a constant support over the past four years. Even Mr Burnham stepped away briefly from his domestic focus last month to welcome Volodymyr Zelensky as his first international guest at No 10. Vladimir Putin remains determine to flex his muscles wherever and whenever he can. He has already demonstrated his contempt for Britain by brazenly sending his embargoed oil tankers through our waters Unsurprisingly, the decision to pass on military hardware blueprints provoked a hostile response from the Kremlin – with a spokesman accusing Britain of 'participating in this war'. It would be foolish to dismiss the threat from Moscow, of course. Putin remains determine to flex his muscles wherever and whenever he can. He has already demonstrated his contempt for this nation by brazenly sending his embargoed oil tankers through our waters. But by giving a helping hand to Ukraine, Mr Burnham has done the right thing on two counts. Firstly, on a point of principle. And, secondly, by reminding one of the most sinister tyrants of modern times that we will not be intimidated by him. Even without the recent road carnage, it is extremely difficult to understand the appeal of footage that glorifies joyriders and their mindless stunts. But videos of young tearaways driving at top speed in stolen cars or inhaling laughing gas behind the wheel are a rapidly increasing presence on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat. This twisted phenomenon would almost certainly disappear if the culprits were prevented from posting their reckless clips in the first place or, at the very least, if they were taken down without delay. Yet while social media companies are very good at designing sophisticated algorithms that dictate what people see, they seem far less interested in removing harmful content. With Labour ministers hobnobbing with Big Tech firms at more than 200 meetings in less than two years, perhaps it is a subject they might get around to raising at some point. Increasing the rate of employers' National Insurance contributions was one of the worst anti-business measures imposed during Rachel Reeves's disastrous reign as chancellor. Now 150 business leaders have written to the PM urging him to reverse the move in an effort to tackle the 'tragic waste' of youth unemployment. It would be an act of considerable maturity and humility if Mr Burnham was to grant their request. But we won't be holding our breath.