James Lyons
Former Downing Street Director of Strategic Communications and Senior Partner, Penta Group consultancy
Almost 90 years ago this week Britain had basked in a glorious summer that was brought to a sudden and dramatic end by the declaration of war against Germany. Andy Burnham faces something similar, if less violent, as MPs return to Westminster for the first time since his “coronation”.
If Burnham does not get these next few months right, his hopes of being more than a one-term prime minister could really be over by the time we are tucking into the turkey at Christmas.
He has got off to a flying start, bringing an energy and enthusiasm that cautious Keir Starmer never managed. Pledges to cut energy bills, bus fares and pub taxes, end homelessness, block vape and betting shops and arm Ukraine have all been well received. But after this flying start gravity is starting to reassert itself.
