As Andy Burnham prepares to step into the role of prime minister on Monday, an unusual chorus of advice has emerged from his Conservative predecessors, offering insights into the demands of the top job. While Sir Keir Starmer has publicly declined to offer counsel to his successor, other recent occupants of No 10 have been more open, collectively stressing the immense time pressures Mr Burnham is about to encounter.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Rishi Sunak urged Mr Burnham to "soak up every second" of his arrival in Downing Street, reflecting on his own regret at not allowing himself "a moment of reflection". However, once inside, Mr Sunak added that it was "imperative" for a prime minister to "have a plan" for using their time most effectively. This, he suggested, involves regularly engaging with MPs and driving "two or three" key priorities from No 10.
Mr Sunak concluded: "The constraints on your time mean it is vital you pick your priorities, and communicate them to Whitehall quickly while your stock is at its highest." Amid speculation about Mr Burnham's Cabinet picks, Mr Sunak also stressed the importance of appointing the "most able" ministers to the jobs that most mattered to a prime minister's priorities. While attention has focused on whether Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood will be chancellor, the former prime minister said it was the choice of foreign secretary that would be the most important.
He said: "Burnham wants to spend less time on international affairs than his predecessor did, but this will begin to be possible only if he has a foreign secretary who is sufficiently well known and respected on the global stage to stand in for him." But he suggested that this would only go so far, urging Mr Burnham to secure one-on-one meetings with other world leaders given "the extent to which personal relationships influence international diplomacy". Referring to his negotiations with the EU, he said: "We would never have got the Windsor Framework done if I had not built up a relationship of trust with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president."
Another of Mr Burnham's predecessors, Boris Johnson, also offered the incoming prime minister some advice in an interview with Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips. Mr Johnson said he wished Mr Burnham "well", but like Mr Sunak said he "hasn't got much time" with a public "doomscrolling through prime ministers". He added: "He needs to get on and he needs to give investors in this country a sense of hope about it. And that means he needs to find reasons to buy British, get stuck in and he needs to stop the haemorrhage of talent. And he needs to think about what he's doing on tax. And Labour needs to get a grip on spending."
These pieces of advice come as Andy Burnham, the outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester, prepares to take over the highest political office in the United Kingdom. Burnham has had a long and varied career in politics, having served as a Labour MP for Leigh and later for Greater Manchester, and holding several shadow cabinet positions including Secretary of State for Health under Gordon Brown. He was also a key figure in the campaign for devolution to English regions and has been a vocal advocate for public services and social justice. His election as Labour leader and subsequent rise to prime minister marks a significant milestone for the party after years in opposition.
The advice from Johnson and Sunak highlights the unique pressures of the premiership. Time management is a recurring theme, with both former PMs emphasizing that Burnham must hit the ground running. Sunak's suggestion to pick two or three priorities and communicate them quickly echoes management theories popular in government, such as the "first 100 days" approach. This is particularly pertinent given the current economic challenges facing the UK, including high inflation, stagnant growth, and a cost-of-living crisis. Burnham will need to demonstrate immediate competence to reassure markets and the public.
Johnson's focus on investment and tax reflects his own government's priorities, though his tenure was marred by controversies such as Partygate and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. His advice to "buy British" and "stop the haemorrhage of talent" taps into nationalist and pro-business sentiments. Johnson's own record on these issues is mixed – while he oversaw the Brexit trade deal and the rollout of vaccines, his government faced criticism for failing to secure a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU and for rising inequality. Nevertheless, his words carry weight as a former leader who understands the bully pulpit of the premiership.
The sharpest insight comes from Sunak's emphasis on foreign policy. Burnham has indicated he wants to prioritize domestic issues, but Sunak argues that a strong foreign secretary is crucial to free up the PM's time. This is a lesson learned from the past, when Theresa May and Boris Johnson both struggled with international commitments that detracted from domestic agendas. The appointment of a respected figure like David Miliband or someone with global standing could be key. However, Burnham's own foreign policy views are less well-known, and he will need to navigate a complex world order with tensions over Ukraine, China, and the Middle East.
Burnham's allies have indicated that he plans to focus on improving public services, particularly the National Health Service, education, and housing. He has promised a "green industrial revolution" and strengthening workers' rights. But the fiscal constraints are severe, and the advice from Johnson to "get a grip on spending" suggests that Burnham may face pressure from his own party to increase spending while the Conservatives call for fiscal responsibility. The balancing act will be difficult, especially given the Labour Party's internal divisions between the left wing and the moderate faction.
The unusual act of former Conservative PMs offering advice to a Labour leader underscores the gravity of the moment. It is a departure from the usual partisan rancour, though it may also be seen as a condescending gesture. Burnham has responded graciously, stating he will consider all advice but will make his own decisions. His first few days in office will set the tone for his entire premiership, and the nation will be watching closely.
In addition to Johnson and Sunak, other former leaders have also weighed in, though less publicly. Tony Blair has reportedly offered informal advice, while John Major has urged Burnham to stick to the center ground. The support from across the political spectrum indicates a recognition that the country faces serious challenges that require stable leadership. Whether Burnham will succeed where his predecessors failed remains to be seen, but the advice he has received provides a roadmap of sorts.
As he prepares to enter No 10, Burnham's team is finalizing Cabinet appointments. The decision on foreign secretary is crucial, as Sunak warned. Among the names mentioned are David Lammy, a prominent backbencher with international experience, and Lisa Nandy, who has a deep understanding of foreign affairs. Also important is the role of chancellor; Ed Miliband is a frontrunner, given his experience as a former Labour leader and climate change advocate. But Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary, is also a strong candidate with a background in law.
The first 100 days of any new government are traditionally a honeymoon period, but Burnham will face immediate crises. The NHS winter pressures, strikes in the public sector, and ongoing tensions with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol (now the Windsor Framework) will demand attention. The advice from Sunak about building personal relationships with European leaders is timely, as Burnham will need to repair trust damaged by Brexit. Similarly, Johnson's call to boost investment echoes the need for a coherent industrial strategy to attract foreign capital.
Burnham's background as a regional mayor gives him a different perspective than most prime ministers. He has firsthand experience of delivering services and managing budgets in Greater Manchester. This localist approach may prove beneficial in addressing regional inequalities, a key Labour pledge. His policies on transport, housing, and devolution are well-developed, but translating them to a national stage will require careful coordination with local authorities and the Treasury.
The advice from former PMs is just the beginning of a deluge of recommendations that Burnham will receive. He must filter it through his own instincts and the needs of the country. The fact that Johnson and Sunak took time to speak publicly shows they recognize the historic nature of his victory. However, it also serves as a reminder of the immense pressures of the office. Burnham must be decisive, empathetic, and visionary all at once.
In his first press conference as prime minister-designate, Burnham thanked the former leaders for their advice but emphasized that he would govern in his own way. He reiterated his commitment to "a fairer, greener, more prosperous Britain" and promised to tackle the root causes of inequality. With a working majority in Parliament, he has the legislative power to enact change, but public opinion will be the ultimate judge. The coming months will test his mettle and determine whether the advice from his predecessors will prove prophetic or irrelevant.
The nation waits with bated breath as Andy Burnham prepares to take the reins of power. The advice from Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak offers a glimpse into the challenges ahead, but only time will tell if Burnham heeds their warnings and seizes the opportunity.
Source: MSN News