Leaked Downing Street documents could prove that Andy Burnham is “Keir Starmer 2.0,” according to journalist Sam Coates.
Andy Burnham has been nicknamed ‘Keir Starmer 2.0’ by his political rivals (Image: Getty)
Sky News paused for breaking news on Thursday (17 September), and it’s a bad look for Andy Burnham. Just weeks after the Prime Minister was nicknamed “Keir Starmer 2.0” by his political rivals, leaked Downing Street documents have revealed just how much Burnham is borrowing from Starmer’s agenda.
Asked if the leak reinforces Burnham‘s status as “Starmer 2.0”, Deputy Political Editor, Sam Coates said: “I think some of the things in this document – here it is in a paper copy – do potentially reinforce that.
“Just look at the numbers: of the 55 ideas, 14 of them have, or are about to be, announced by Andy Burnham.”
The journalist added that when Burnham eventually lays out his 10-year plan, it will become apparent whether his policies and ideas had already been suggested at Whitehall, and pre-approved by his predecessors at Number 10.
“Some will claim that despite the rhetoric, there is an element of continuity to this government, something that the Chancellor, John Healey, told me was true, but Burnham’s rhetoric often implies is not,” Coates explained.
Revealing the results of an exclusive poll conducted by Sky News, the TV star said that 46 per cent of the public felt that Burnham is working in a similar direction to Keir Starmer. Meanwhile, 31 per cent agreed with the PM that he has been different.
Referring back to the leaked Downing Street documents, Coates declared: “There’s a lot in here for Andy Burnham’s critics, but also simply the fact that he’s a mid-term Prime Minister inheriting a lot of the same agenda, but also the same problems.”
Following the Sky News report, several politicians have reacted to the leak.
A leaked Downing Street document reveals how much Burnham is borrowing from Starmer’s agenda (Image: Getty)
Reform MP Robert Jenrick quipped, “Andy Burnham really is just Keir Starmer with a TikTok account.”
Likewise, the Green Party’s deputy leader, Rachel Millward, remarked, “The Chancellor was onto something when he said this was a continuity government with a new leader. Our challenge to the Prime Minister is to prove him wrong and take real action on the inequality crisis, the affordability crisis and the climate crisis.”
“This leak shows that Labour know that approving Jackdaw and Rosebank would support our energy security,” tweeted Tory MP Andie Bowen. Yet they keep delaying to appease the radical left. When will Labour put Britain’s interests first?”