Columnist Carole Malone has launched a scathing attack on Andy Burnham following his party conference speech, describing him as "a class-A conman, a liar and a 24-carat hypocrite" who is willing to exploit his father's death for votes.
Writing for the Daily Express, Malone said the speech was "sickening" and accused Burnham of hawking private grief for political gain and using family hardship stories to bolster his working-man credentials.
Benefits, debt and EU policy
Malone criticised Burnham for failing to address key issues such as cutting the £330billion benefits bill, funding the military, controlling immigration and reducing the £3trillion debt, the interest on which is now the highest in 28 years.
She accused him of lying over the Triple Lock and highlighted his previous statements on the EU, including a promise made while campaigning in Makerfield that he would never take the UK back into the bloc. She quoted him as saying: "I am NOT proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU. I respect the decision that was taken with the referendum."
Trade deals and economic comparisons
Malone questioned why Burnham would consider rejoining what she called a "failing, controlling, dysfunctional bloc" and sabotaging the 70 trade deals done since leaving. She cited deals with India, Japan, the Transpacific nations, the Gulf States, Australia and New Zealand as examples of where the opportunities lie.
She also compared the Thatcher era favourably to Labour's 1970s record, noting that Thatcher's reign prompted 30 years of growth and global power, whereas Labour crawled to the IMF for a bailout.
Political trajectory
Malone said that until this week she thought Burnham was just a weak people-pleaser, but now considers him "Jezza Corbyn on steroids – just in a better suit." She accused him of dragging the party to the Far-Left, calling for nationalisation, the seizure of properties, and defying the biggest democratic vote in British history.
She concluded that if he succeeds in taking the country back to the socialism of the 1970s, "it WILL be the end of us!"
