Kemi Badenoch has launched her first major attack on Andy Burnham since he became prime minister, arguing that his opening moves in office are already running into difficulty. She is expected to say the government has failed to set out a convincing plan for the country after its first policies began to come under pressure.
The criticism centers on Badenoch's claim that Burnham is approaching Downing Street with the mindset of a city leader rather than a national one. In particular, she is set to accuse him of "still thinking like the mayor of Manchester," using that line to question whether he has adjusted to the scale and demands of the top job.
Her intervention appears designed to frame Burnham's early premiership as uncertain and reactive. By arguing that his first policy announcements are already unraveling, Badenoch is seeking to cast doubt on the government's direction and to suggest that voters have yet to see a broader strategy for the country.
The exchange points to a sharper political confrontation as Burnham settles into office. With opposition figures moving quickly to challenge his early record, the debate is likely to focus on whether the new prime minister can turn initial policy setbacks into a clearer and more stable governing agenda.
