In a Daily Mail opinion piece, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage denounces Andy Burnham's elevation to Prime Minister as a "coup", arguing he has taken office without an electoral mandate beyond a single by-election win in Makerfield. Farage insists a general election must be called immediately, framing Burnham's arrival in Downing Street as democratically illegitimate despite the new PM's stated ambition to deliver major political change.

Farage criticises Burnham's first remarks outside No 10 as vague and heavy on left-wing rhetoric, citing references to a "new political model" and a "preventative State" as signs of more state control, spending and taxation to come. He further accuses Burnham of planning to soften Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain rules to appease soft-left MPs, and criticises Labour's energy policy for driving up bills and import reliance, while noting deputy Lucy Powell's involvement in the new administration.