Andy Burnham, the incoming Prime Minister, has been accused of 'running scared' after the House of Commons adjourned for its summer break without him facing questions from MPs. The former Greater Manchester mayor is set to become Prime Minister next week, but Parliament will begin its recess on Thursday, meaning Burnham will not answer questions until September 1.
Conservatives Demand Scrutiny
The Conservatives had called for an extra day next week to allow Burnham to make a statement and face questions. They also planned a vote on Wednesday to pressure the Government. However, the Opposition Day debate was cancelled, with the Government stating that more time was needed to discuss Iran. Shadow Leader of the House Jesse Norman called the move a 'total humiliation and embarrassment for the Government.'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed Burnham is scared, saying: 'In an unprecedented move, Labour have scrapped the Conservative vote to force Andy Burnham to come to Parliament to answer questions when he becomes PM on Monday. Labour are running scared because they know the honeymoon will be over the minute he has to tell us his plans.'
Criticism from All Sides
Liberal Democrat MP Bobby Dean and Conservative MP Katie Lam expressed concerns that Burnham has avoided parliamentary scrutiny despite weeks of notice. Norman criticised the transition from Sir Keir Starmer to Burnham as the 'worst possible exit for a Prime Minister and start for a new Prime Minister,' adding that people will conclude Burnham is 'frit, running scared of public scrutiny.'
Leader of the House Sir Alan Campbell claimed he was unaware of Conservative plans to delay the summer break. Burnham will become Prime Minister on Monday, with no known platform or policies, according to critics.
