See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 22:00 BST, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 22:00 BST, 22 July 2026
Kemi Badenoch will warn that Andy Burnham has no plan for the country after his first two policies began to unravel.In her first intervention since Mr Burnham became prime minister, Mrs Badenoch will accuse him of ‘still thinking like the mayor of Manchester’.Mr Burnham announced modest proposals to shave £45 off energy bills and revive the £2 cap on bus fares in his first days in office this week.Ministers have been struggling to explain how the plans will be paid for, despite Mr Burnham insisting that all his proposals would be ‘fully funded’.Former Cabinet minister Darren Jones rubbished claims that the £850 million plan to cut VAT on electricity bills could be paid for by scrapping the digital ID cards scheme, pointing out that funding for the system have never been agreed.And transport secretary Heidi Alexander admitted that the funding for the £454 million plan to cap bus fares ‘hasn’t been worked through’.In a speech in London on Thursday, Mrs Badenoch will urge the new PM to rule out tax rises to ‘pay for his spending spree’.The Conservative leader will welcome the new PM’s interest in tackling the cost of living, but warn that his piecemeal approach does not come close to meeting the challenges faced by the country, saying: ‘Is that it?’ Unimpressed: Mrs Badenoch will warn that the new PM is still 'thinking like the mayor of Manchester'
