Andy Burnham has gone on a foreign family holiday just over two weeks after becoming Prime Minister. The Makerfield MP took office on July 20, but has now stepped back from day-to-day duties to spend time with his family.
Government continues as normal
The former mayor, who has three children with his wife Marie-France van Heel, will remain in direct contact with officials and continue holding meetings during the overseas break. Allies insist the government will continue functioning normally during his absence from Downing Street.
Officials would not be drawn on where the Prime Minister is holidaying, although it is understood to be abroad rather than within the UK.
First fortnight of announcements
Burnham has made a blizzard of announcements during his first fortnight in No 10. He promised to remove VAT from electricity bills, pledged to end rough sleeping, announced the reinstatement of a £2 cap on bus fares in England, began cross-party talks on social care and vowed to be “relentless” in tackling small boat crossings.
The Prime Minister also announced a cut in business rates for pubs, established No 10 North while promising extra powers to regional mayors and also found time to suggest Gianni Infantino was the wrong man to lead international football’s ruling body FIFA.
Rapid rise to power
The announcements followed his win in the Makerfield by-election in June, which led to a rapid rise to replace Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister. Initially, Burnham wanted to hand power over in September, but the transition took place in July.
His most recent public appearance was on Sunday in Dover, a popular port for ferry crossings to the continent, although he was using the visit to Kent to promote his Government’s efforts to tackle small boat crossings.
