In this opinion column, Michael Gove argues that Andy Burnham’s Labour government lacks ambition for working-class people and promotes what he describes as “low expectations”. He contrasts Burnham’s social-media-focused communication style with William Gladstone’s 1879 speech to Scottish labourers and miners, presenting Gladstone as a politician who treated working people as capable of engaging with complex ideas. The piece matters chiefly as a partisan critique of Labour’s emerging political approach rather than a straight news report.

Gove says Burnham has used TikTok appearances and informal posts with online personalities to demonstrate relatability, citing a discussion of pork scratchings and scampi fries with the Chancellor. He argues these choices, alongside Burnham’s developing policies on issues such as fares, suggest Labour is offering limited practical aspirations rather than a broader programme of education, home ownership and economic advancement. The article was published by the Daily Mail on 31 July 2026 and reflects Gove’s political viewpoint.