Andy Burnham suffered another major blow minutes into GB News' breakfast show on Saturday (June 27), as political commentator Duncan Barkes issued a worrying prediction about the Labour leader's rapid rise. The former Mayor of Manchester, who was sworn in as an MP just days ago, has seen a surge in polls following Sir Keir Starmer's tearful resignation earlier this week.
Burnham Bounce or Burnout?
Speaking on Stephen Dixon's show, guest host Bethany Elsey welcomed Barkes to discuss Labour's bounce in the polls since Burnham's leadership bid began. Barkes expressed surprise at how quickly the nation has backed the politician to become the next Prime Minister, less than a week after Starmer's resignation. He noted that polling indicates Labour on 27%, Reform UK on 26%, and the Conservatives on 19%, with The i newspaper reporting that a Labour party led by Burnham would nudge ahead of Reform UK if a general election were held tomorrow.
However, Barkes warned: 'I just wonder how quickly we're going to have a Burnham burnout. I think what's going to happen is the shine is going to come off Andy Burnham quite quickly. Because once the public realise that this man doesn't have a magic wand that can automatically sort out many of the country's problems, including spiralling debt, small boats crossing the Channel, amongst everything else that's going on, I think the love for Andy and his lovely eyelashes will diminish quite quickly.'
Rapid Political Shift
The political landscape has shifted dramatically since the by-election victory in Makerfield and Starmer's resignation. Andy Burnham arrived at Westminster on Monday (June 22) and was sworn in as an MP, triggering what some media outlets have dubbed the 'Burnham bounce.' The rapid change has caught many by surprise, with Barkes commenting on the speed of events.
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