Andy Burnham has announced he is "open" to a formal apology over slavery reparations, a move that has embarrassed King Charles during his visit to Antigua and Barbuda, where the monarch faces financially crippling demands from Caribbean campaigners.
The Prime Minister's statement contradicts established government policy, which is not to apologise or offer reparations. The King, who measures his words carefully, arrived in the Caribbean knowing he would face these demands.
Series of Reversals
This is not the first time Burnham has made a significant U-turn. His first major reversal was running for Prime Minister after assuring Greater Manchester he was committed to being its mayor, triggering the Makerfield by-election.
In July, he hinted he might end the freeze on the £12,570 personal allowance, only to say days later that it was merely an option for the Budget. He also floated tax rises for wealthier people, prompting speculation that he was backing a wealth tax, before his team moved to quash the idea.
Policy Backtracking
Burnham made a massive U-turn on social care and, when asked whether freezing private-sector rents could be part of his cost-of-living package, he replied: "We're looking at all of those things." Within days, it emerged officials weren't looking at them at all.
He said he would review the early prisoner release policy, giving the impression that he would toughen up, but the releases kept coming and victims went into hiding. He then backtracked over migrant benefits.
Further Controversies
In September, Burnham told the Commons there was "no way" Jodrell Bank would close on his watch, but shortly afterwards the Government confirmed funding for its telescope network would end in 2028. He also made a massive U-turn on Heathrow expansion.
At PMQs, he declared that "national security can't come at the expense of social security", prompting critics to point out that without national security, there is no social security. Burnham later explained he had been talking about social security in the broadest sense.
He dropped suggestions that the ban on drinking in sight of the pitch at football grounds should be lifted, after police said it definitely should not. He also said he would be "really concerned" if Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners sold up, prompting a Downing Street clarification that nobody was above the rules.
Ongoing Blunders
In October, Burnham told podcast The Rest Is Politics he had been given a "clear answer" that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, prompting the Head of MI5 to say he had handed a gift to Putin's trolls.
In Parliament, he described an individual as "responsible for the murder" of Ann Widdecombe, despite the legal process being ongoing, and was forced to apologise and correct the official Hansard record.
On Brexit, Burnham has lurched from one blunder to the next, and has had to retreat from pre-PM comments about being "in hock to the bond markets" and transgender males using women's toilets. The King can be relieved about one thing: Burnham did not actually promise to pay slavery reparations. There is still time, as he only needs to open his mouth.
