Writing in the Daily Mail, commentator Dan Hodges reports that new Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to distance himself sharply from his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, as he readies the party for a possible snap election in 2027. Despite publicly praising Starmer in his first Commons statement after taking over, Burnham's team is reportedly planning to jettison much of the former leader's agenda, calculating that positioning himself as a break from Starmer will be his most effective political strategy. The move reflects deep personal animosity between the two men, with allies on each side accusing the other of betrayal and sabotage.

According to sources cited in the piece, Burnham intends to differentiate himself from Starmer on issues including sanctions on Israel, policy on young people not in education, employment or training (Neets), the devolution agenda and welfare, having already argued against direct welfare cuts in a Commons clash with Kemi Badenoch. Tensions were heightened by comments from Starmer ally Steve Reed criticising Burnham's devolution plans, and by Starmer's decision to step down from Parliament without informing Number 10 in advance. The article draws a contrast with Gordon Brown, who, unlike Burnham, struggled to decide whether to embrace or reject Tony Blair's legacy after succeeding him.