Andy Burnham on Monday vowed to be ‘accountable’ to Labour MPs as he addressed them for the first time.
Mr Burnham told backbenchers he would ‘lead from the front’ on ‘culture change, political direction and narrative’ in an online-hustings held on Monday.
And in his first opportunity to address MPs before becoming prime minister next week, Mr Burnham pledged to remain ‘accountable, visible and accessible’ to the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) when ruling – but warned that ‘change of this magnitude is a team effort’ and he would require all of them to ‘play their part’.
Mr Burnham made his comments in a question and answer session with Labour MPs held via video, where the recently elected MP set out his priorities for governance.
And he said his coronation as prime minister is a ‘significant moment for the country’, adding: ‘Our constituents are counting on all of us to come together’.
The former Manchester Mayor on Monday passed the number of nominations needed from MPs to deny contenders the chance to run against him for the Labour leadership.
Mr Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a conference on July 17 and is expected to then become prime minister on July 20.
And as Labour MPs jostle for a position in his Government, Mr Burnham guided last night that appointments will reflect ‘contribution, experience and commitment’, and would nod to the Labour movement as a ‘broad church’.
Mr Burnham told backbenchers he would ‘lead from the front’ on ‘culture change, political direction and narrative’ in an online-hustings held on Monday
And in his first opportunity to address MPs before becoming prime minister next week, Mr Burnham pledged to remain ‘accountable, visible and accessible’ to the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) when ruling
He also said he wanted to create a culture where ‘everyone is valued, seen and listened to’, and called for a ‘feedback loop’ between Labour MPs, communities and Cabinet – which he deemed ‘essential for good policy-making and delivery’.
Speaking after the event, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: ‘Andy gets that if you want better public services and rising living standards, you’ve got to grow the economy first.’
And he added that Mr Burnham will ‘inject the urgency into government that will be needed’.
But another Labour MP told the Daily Mail that Mr Burnham had been given ‘an easy ride’ and that the soon-to-be Labour leader is ‘enjoying his honeymoon period’.
They added: ‘Some of the questions seemed planted; they were mostly from MPs who had already declared they support him.’
This comes as Tony Blair warned Andy Burnham he is ‘not going to be loved’ as he takes the reins as PM next week.
In a warning for the new Makerfield MP – who will sail into Downing Street next week without having to fight a Labour leadership contest – Mr Blair said he would have told himself after Labour’s 1997 landslide victory: ‘You may think you’re going to be loved, but you’re not going to be’.
The former prime minister also stressed the importance of Mr Burnham maintaining a strong relationship with the US ‘whoever is president’, and warned him away from Ed Miliband’s net-zero policies.
Questions put to Mr Burnham on Monday included those on how Labour can win back Wales, his approach to Ukraine, ensuring rural constituencies and coastal towns don’t lose out, culture change in the Labour Party and how Labour should support those in their early years.
However, there were no questions around the lack of women in leadership roles within the party – despite Labour grandee Harriet Harman saying representation of women in Mr Burnham’s cabinet is a ‘central issue’ for female Labour MPs.
Mr Burnham joined MPs from across the Commons in paying tribute to Ann Widdecombe in the meeting, saying this is a ‘moment to come together, think of her family and ensure the police have the resources and space they need to ensure justice is brought’ following the attack.
He also praised outgoing PM Keir Starmer for ‘delivering on his promise to the Hillsborough families’.
