Andy Burnham ‘may think he’s going to be loved’, warns Tony Blair – as PM in-waiting trots out more vague ‘Manchesterism’ at hustings with fawning MPs
Andy Burnham was given a reality check by Tony Blair as he was applauded by fawning Labor MPs in Downing Street.
The former Prime Minister warned the new Prime Minister as follows:He will be unpopular when he takes over from Keir Starmer.
The harsh message came as Mr Burnham appeared to be easily persuaded in an election with the Labor Party in Parliament last night.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester apparently was not challenged on his vague policy platform or tax and spending plans during the privately held online session.
Instead, he made general statements about ‘change’ and the party being a ‘broad church’, saying he wanted to ensure ‘everyone is valued, seen and listened to’.
A Labor MP told the Daily Mail that Mr Burnham, who was ‘crowned’ without even an activist vote, was ‘enjoying his honeymoon’.
Andy Burnham was given a reality check by Tony Blair as he was applauded by fawning Labor MPs in Downing Street.
They added: ‘Some questions appeared planned; It mostly came from MPs who had declared their support for him.’
At last night’s summer reception, Labour’s most successful leader, Sir Tony, had a warning for his successor.
Asked what advice he would give himself ahead of entering No10, Mr Blair said: ‘I guess you might think you’ll be loved, but you won’t be.’
The former prime minister also stressed the importance of Mr Burnham maintaining a strong relationship with the US ‘no matter who becomes president’ and warned him to stay away from Ed Miliband’s net zero policies.
Sir Tony, who appointed Mr Burnham to his government when he was last an MP, said: ‘I wish Andy the best of luck. I hope it will be successful. It is important for the country in which it is successful. And he was actually great as a colleague.’
He added that Mr Burnham was a ‘genuinely humanitarian person’ and the type of politician who ‘loved humanity in general’.
Mr Burnham last night officially topped the 323 MP candidates needed to become leader and Prime Minister without a formal contest.
After receiving 322 approvals last week, it received 26 more approvals yesterday; This means there are not enough undeclared MPs left for anyone to get the 81 required to run.
He will officially become leader of the Labor Party on Friday and Prime Minister on Monday.
Ministers and MPs are frantically competing for positions in the new administration; Ed Miliband hopes to become chancellor despite some concerns about his ‘Soviet’ views.
But there are still widespread concerns about the lack of clarity about what Mr Burnham will do with his new power, which comes without the approval of Labor Party members, let alone the public.
He is said to be planning a ‘mega Budget’ in the autumn, combining a massive fiscal package with a full spending review.
Sir Tony says he “won’t be liked” when he takes over from new prime minister Keir Starmer
Fears are rising about a new tax raid focused on the ‘rich’ South; allies are putting forward proposals such as land tax, a revaluation of council tax and an increased mansion tax to finance splurges on council housing and public control of public services.
Mr Burnham did not detail any tax or spending plans beyond a pledge to stick to the Labor manifesto and increase devolution.
Despite his colleagues’ frantic rush to swear loyalty, the former Cabinet minister has almost no mandate from the public.
He did not stand in for Labour’s winning bid in 2024, and the 25,000 voters who backed him in the Makerfield by-election represent just 0.05 per cent of the British electorate.
