Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been mocked on social media after pulling out a guitar for an impromptu jam session on the front line in Ukraine. The Labour leader was caught on camera on Monday strumming a tune by Manchester indie legends The Smiths while sitting in a mobile recording studio on his first official trip to Kyiv.
Ukraine Cultural Forces unit
He was handed the instrument by members of Ukraine's Cultural Forces unit - a group of military musicians who perform for troops and wounded soldiers in hospitals. To return the favour, Ukrainian troops even serenaded the former Greater Manchester Mayor with an Oasis track.
Burnham insisted that music can help "lift spirits" on the front line as he met President Volodymyr Zelensky on Ukraine's Independence Day. But back home, critics were quick to brand the performance as cringeworthy, comparing the PM to The Office boss David Brent.
Social media backlash
Armchair critics didn't pull any punches. One X user wrote: "Andy Burnham is the real life David Brent." Another added: "Brent was endearing, Burnham is not. Everything he does is contrived."
Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith also stuck the boot in, posting: "Ukraine is fighting a brutal war for its survival, while Britain faces enormous challenges at home. At a time that demands serious leadership, our Prime Minister decides to pick up a guitar for the cameras."
Supporters defend Burnham
However, not everyone thought the PM hit a bum note. Fans quickly jumped to Burnham's defence, accusing critics of making a fuss over nothing. One supporter fired back online: "People losing their minds because Andy Burnham dared to play the guitar and wear a polo shirt. Can't tell if it's northern thing, a class issue or just how messed up politics is. Either way, I'm quite liking it."
Another user said: "Quite funny that some are referring to Andy Burnham as David Brent, for playing The Smiths on guitar with a Ukrainian soldier. Can see why some might find it a bit cringe, but on the plus side, at least it wasn't Coldplay. So there's that."
Visit to Kyiv
During his trip, Burnham also visited a shopping centre destroyed by Russian strikes to meet locals for selfies, before receiving a special award from President Zelensky recognising Britain's unwavering support.
