In this opinion piece for the Daily Mail, columnist Stephen Glover argues that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has shown little sign of decisive leadership six weeks into office and faces a critical test in the coming week. Glover contends that Burnham has avoided the three biggest challenges facing the country — defence spending, welfare costs and immigration — while offering only "feel-good" policies such as ending rough sleeping and cutting bus fares and energy bills, which he says amount to style over substance.

The article criticises Burnham for reversing a Labour policy allowing early release of manslaughter prisoners, including PC Andrew Harper's killers, while noting some domestic abusers held under the Imprisonment for Public Protection scheme could still be freed. Glover also highlights an apparent contradiction between Burnham's supportive rhetoric towards Ukraine during a Kyiv visit, including a pledge to share Storm Shadow missile blueprints, and the Chancellor's decision not to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP in the 28 October Budget, with any such move deferred to next year's spending review. Welfare reform is also reportedly being delayed until at least next year.