Co-conspirators may have heard the familiar sound of Alastair Campbell typing out a hare-brained tweet in support of the next Labour character this morning. This time it’s praise for Andy Burnham for running away from press scrutiny…
Burnham is doing today’s speech in order to calm nerves and let people know what he’s planning. No questions for media…
Campbell says this is genius:
“If true that Andy Burnham not taking media questions after speech today then good move. Speeches matter and when important should speak for themselves. A problem with Keir S communications was that he would make a speech, then take Qs and the broadcast journalists in particular would make it more about them and their “take” than him. If and when he becomes PM Burnham will be answerable to Parliament, not the showbiz style media coverage of politics. The blah factory will go into overdrive today with journalists interviewing each other about how they ought to be allowed to ask Qs. The speech itself is more important than anything they say before during or after. Setting the agenda vital from the off.”
Former Sun Editor David Yelland jumped on:
“So agree with Alastair, somehow the PM needs to wrestle power from the media because the media class, right now, is better at its job that the political. Plus they are skilled in dictating agenda to all of us including the BBC.”
Hugh Grant is rubbing his hands at the prospect of Burnham taking action against a free press. Badenoch has challenged Burnham to delay summer recess in order to set out his plans in parliament and face proper scrutiny. Chance would be a fine thing…
Lord Khan in the Telegraph: “I hope, and I say this in a non-pompous way, that the public service I do will bring rewards in this world and the hereafter,” he says. “I’m hoping the work I do is earning me Brownie points.”