Andy Burnham walks back into Parliament this week as style and substance both matter, which is why his popularity will survive and grow only if the Prime Minister is bold. Change not continuity was his attractive offer, and Parliament reconvening for a fortnight after the summer recess poses a significant test for a leader voters want to see walk the talk after promising "the biggest change in 40 years".
Cost of living and military spending challenges
Improving living standards, easing a cost of living squeeze inherited from the Conservatives, remains his number one priority, but Donald Trump's Iran fiasco is biting financially, and he must find a way of avoiding impalement on the hook of rash military spending rises. Chancellor John Healey's understandably taking fire for wriggling away from the increases he quit as Defence Secretary over, but Burnham would blow up his government if October's Budget was all missiles.
The TUC and left-wing MPs want the PM to tax jackpot bank and oil profits. They also want him to put capital gains tax on landlords, and sales of shares, on a par with income tax, raising billions. This is a test of whether Burnham is prepared to confront prosperous vested interests.
Fresh challenges and political strategy
Blocking the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers finally took the heat out of a dangerous controversy, but fresh challenges on everything from a failing water industry to sanctions on goods from Israeli settlers violently occupying Palestine's West Bank will confront the PM. That Old Big Eyes, as one swooning fan described Burnham, is a breath of fresh air after the awkwardness of Keir Starmer is undeniable and largely responsible for the Labour poll bounce.
Adopting a conciliatory consensus-seeking tone at his first PMQs on Wednesday could successfully pigeonhole combative Kemi "the honeymoon is over" Badenoch and prickly retread Nigel "Loadsamoney" Farage as petty party politicians. In cutting energy bills by £50 and reintroducing national £2 bus fares, the PM gave voters purse-padding and eye-catching downpayments. But what happens next is what matters most, and every single decision, approving North Sea oil and gas drilling while turbo-charging renewable energy among them, will earn bouquets and brickbats.
Substance versus style debate
Labour Lefties fret Burnham's more style than substance after he denied their wing ministerial jobs. Burnham, however, is full of boyish enthusiasm, with Reform's financial scandals an added bonus. Boldness won the former Greater Manchester Mayor No10. Buckle up as we discover whether he is genuine change or continuity with a fresh vibe.
