Zia Yusuf has predicted reality will soon “come crashing down” on Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister delivered his first speech from Downing Street.
Speaking to GB News, the Reform Home Affairs spokesman said the former Manchester Mayor’s pledge to deliver “massive change in our politics” would meet the same fate as his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer’s own promises upon entering office.
“Do you remember when Keir Starmer stood in that exact place and said, ‘Change begins today’?” Mr Yusuf asked.
“It’s exactly the same thing. Andy Burnham is simply Keir Starmer in jeans.”
Mr Yusuf also forecasted that the new Prime Minister’s honeymoon period would quickly come to an end.
“When Prime Ministers come in, having not been voted for based on putting a manifesto in front of the British people, they are vacuous and are simply trying to people-please.
“They give a really good set of speeches, and then reality kicks in. They tank in the polls, and they get replaced.
“(Mr) Burnham is everything to everybody at this stage… I’m afraid reality is about to come crashing down on him,” the Reform Home Affairs spokesman said.
Mr Yusuf also accused the new Prime Minister of lacking a democratic mandate to pursue major constitutional or economic reforms after taking office without a general election.
“There is absolutely no mandate to do that,” he said.
“If you really believe in these things, Andy, then put it to the British people. Write down your plan, put it in a manifesto. Let’s have a general election.”
“That’s why Reform is saying if you really believe in these things… let’s have a General Election.”
Speaking to broadcasters ahead of becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham ruled out calling a General Election.
Comparing Mr Burnham to his predecessor again, Mr Yusuf said the new leader had already performed his first U-turn.
“(Sir Keir) Starmer became synonymous with U-turn after U-turn after U-turn.
“(Mr) Burnham was going to allow new licences for drilling in the North Sea. He’s already U-turned on that.
“There won’t be any new licences for drilling in the North Sea, much to the shame and embarrassment of this country, given how much people are struggling.”
“He’s still going to continue with the mad religious net-zero crusade. So nothing is going to change there.”
Responding to Mr Burnham’s promise to devolve power and reindustrialise Britain, Mr Yusuf questioned how the plans would be delivered.
“If you’re talking about reindustrialising Britain, what does that mean?” he said.
“We have amongst the highest costs of energy on the planet… and what has he got a plan to do about that? No.”
Mr Yusuf also criticised Mr Burnham’s indication that he wanted to increase foreign aid spending.
The Reform Home Affairs spokesman slammed the ambition as “one of the most outrageous things” the new Prime Minister had proposed.
