Prime Minister Burnham's Overseas Holiday Sparks Political Firestorm
Government insists on normal operations as First Secretary of State Louise Haigh takes lead amidst criticism over PM's absence and policy shifts.
Carla Rooney
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly on a week-long overseas holiday, just two weeks into his premiership.
During his initial fortnight, Mr. Burnham unveiled significant policy announcements, pledging to eliminate VAT from electricity bills, eradicate rough sleeping, and reinstate a £2 bus fare cap.
He also initiated cross-party discussions on social care, vowed to tackle small boat crossings, reduced business rates for pubs, and established No 10 North.
Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, stands as the most senior Government minister officially working this week; No 10 maintained she will not assume day-to-day decision-making responsibilities during Mr. Burnham's absence.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman affirmed the Government's continued normal operation, with the Prime Minister maintaining contact with officials.
The spokesman stated: "The Government continues to operate as normal with the Prime Minister remaining in contact with officials, holding meetings and receiving regular updates on government business."
Allies of Andy Burnham assert the Prime Minister will remain in direct contact with officials and continue holding meetings throughout his overseas break.
Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough. After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad. This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson criticised Prime Minister Burnham's holiday, stating: "Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough. After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad. This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading."
The number of illegal migrants in the country has increased by over 2,000 since Burnham's inauguration.
Andy Burnham has blocked grooming gang rapists from upcoming changes to prison sentences; rape and child sexual offences were reportedly added to the exclusions for early release, affecting 18,000 offenders.
Despite these changes, two men involved in the 2018 killing of police officer Andrew Harper are still likely to be considered for early release.
PC Andrew Harper sustained fatal injuries responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer did not take his first break until nearly six months into his premiership; Rishi Sunak took his first family holiday in four years in 2023.
Theresa May took a holiday four weeks after becoming Prime Minister in 2016, while former Prime Minister Gordon Brown reportedly cut short a holiday in 2007 due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
Kemi Badenoch stated she would not criticise a politician for taking a holiday, noting: "I’m not going to criticise a politician for taking a holiday. I’m not going to criticise Andy Burnham for that. It’s children’s school holidays, my children are on a holiday, I hope that everybody should be taking a break."
However, Badenoch added: "What I will criticise Andy Burnham for is not coming to Parliament after becoming Prime Minister. He should have done that and allowed himself to face questions from MPs. That’s what we’re elected to do. We are the elected representatives of the people. Andy Burnham was running away from Parliament. He can’t run away forever. I’m not going to be giving him a holiday when we come back in September."
The UK Parliament is currently in recess, with MPs set to return on Tuesday, September 1.
Downing Street published an official portrait of Andy Burnham on Tuesday, as the government claims it will continue to work as normal during the Prime Minister's holiday.