Andy Burnham, the newly-elected member of parliament for Makerfield, caused uproar in the House of Commons earlier today with his witty reply to a four-word comment shouted by a sitting MP. The exchange, which drew laughter from the chamber, referenced the classic Monty Python film Life of Brian.
Burnham's Return to Parliament
Mr Burnham returns to parliament after a nine-year absence, having stepped down from his Leith seat in 2017. He was fast-tracked into the Houses of Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election with 55% of the vote, a result that saw the former Mayor of Greater Manchester reclaim a seat in Westminster.
During the swearing-in ceremony for the Labour MP, an unnamed member of the House of Commons shouted four words at Burnham: "You're not the Messiah." The comment appeared to be a reference to both the Monty Python film and the assumption that Burnham would become the next Prime Minister following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation announcement.
The Monty Python Exchange
The shouted line is a direct quote from Life of Brian, where the titular character is mistaken for Jesus Christ. Burnham's response, "Naughty boys," was another reference to the film, where Brian's mother famously scolds him with the line, "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy."
The exchange was captured on video and shared on social media by political commentator Jack Blackburn, who posted: "Tory MP: 'He's not the Messiah' Burnham: 'Naughty boy'" alongside a clip of the moment.
Starmer's Resignation and Political Fallout
The swearing-in of Burnham as an MP comes just hours after Sir Keir Starmer announced he was quitting as Prime Minister. The resignation has triggered calls for a general election from both Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Farage told Sky News: "On a human level, I'm sorry for [Sir Keir Starmer] that he failed, and I think he'll be upset but I think the British public will be upset. Most of the things this Labour Government did were not even in their manifesto in 2024."
Burnham on a Potential General Election
When asked about the possibility of a general election in the near future, Burnham cautioned against jumping ahead. Speaking to a reporter on the platform at London Euston, he said: "You are jumping several hurdles there, my priority today is to be sworn in as Makerfield MP."
He added: "It's been very sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me. I have loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place."
Burnham's return to parliament and his lighthearted response to the Monty Python jibe have already become a talking point in Westminster, as the political landscape shifts following Starmer's resignation.
