ANDREW NEIL: It’s early days but I already fear Bumbling Burnham is a dud who’s not up to being Prime Minister

Andrew Neil questions whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham is ready for the role, arguing that his strengths in personal storytelling and local transport do not translate into command of defence, foreign policy or the economy. The article says Burnham’s early missteps are raising doubts about his judgement and experience, despite his popularity with Labour supporters and parts of the public.

Neil points to Burnham’s comments about the Manchester City corruption case, which appeared to favour the club and its Abu Dhabi owners before he backtracked, as well as a separate Commons remark that Downing Street corrected. The article also criticises Burnham’s record as Greater Manchester mayor, alleging that deals with property developers and foreign interests amounted to cronyism; the supplied text ends mid-claim and gives no further detail.