Andy Burnham has been branded a spineless and gutless wimp after fleeing his first set-piece speech since winning the Makerfield by-election via a side entrance, refusing to take questions from the media or the public. The Greater Manchester mayor, who is widely expected to become Labour leader and prime minister within weeks, left the event without facing any scrutiny over his plans to shift power and money away from Westminster.
Cowardice or strategy?
Giles Sheldrick, writing for Express, described Burnham's actions as pathetic, accusing the mayor of running scared from examination of his proposals. Burnham, who was not an MP at the last general election and abandoned his role as mayor of Manchester, now wants to impose his vision on the country without a national mandate. He is not even Labour leader yet, but has begun acting as if he already holds the top job, telling people what will happen when he becomes prime minister.
Burnham admitted the country is stuck in a rut and needs change, but he refused to provide hard details of his plans, leaving the country fearing the worst. Critics say his secondary school assessment that he would give Britain breathing space against rising costs is code for more tax rises and unsustainable borrowing.
No general election
Despite his ambitions, Burnham has made clear he will not call a general election. This has drawn sharp criticism from those who argue he lacks a democratic mandate to govern. His supporters, however, claim that his leadership is necessary to break the current political deadlock.
Burnham's plan includes moving No 10 to the North and devolving power from Westminster. But his ideas have been dismissed as back-of-a-fag packet nonsense by opponents, who point out that London and the South East contribute 40% of Britain's GDP. Burnham has not explained how his rabidly Leftist agenda of nationalisation and devolution will be paid for.
Marxist-Leninist speech
Yesterday, Burnham returned to his former fiefdom of Manchester to deliver a speech described as Marxist-Leninist before quickly returning to London. During the speech, he said he wants to put hope in every heart by moving power and money away from the capital. But he made no mention of how this will be funded.
Burnham's image as a trendy dad has been undermined by his actions, with critics saying he is a man of little substance who speaks in song lyrics. His idea of No 10 North is a reworking of a policy put forward by Screaming Lord Sutch, founder of the Monster Raving Loony Party, who proposed putting Parliament on wheels.
Video in a black cab
After the speech, Burnham posted a video from the back of a black cab, saying he was pleased with how the No 10 North idea had gone down. He said: "What it will mean is that everybody doesn't have to come down here to have a serious conversation with the Government. If you think about it, the North Pole to the South Pole… it will make the country feel more balanced."
He added: "The whole idea is a conduit to get power out into the country, every single part of it, and get growth going everywhere. So, yeah, come on everyone, get on board with it and let's make it happen." But he made no mention of a general election, confirming his intention to become prime minister without a popular vote.
