Lisa Nandy appears to be struggling to get her policy priorities to the top of the pile in Burnham’s government. After being disappointed in the reshuffle…
A briefing to the Telegraph on the eve of Burnham’s entry to government:
“It is understood that Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, is pushing for the National Lottery to be among the companies nationalised, amid concerns about the current operator’s performance.”
And this month, in a response to a Parliamentary question from Tory Mike Wood, DCMS said:
“DCMS has no plans to make changes to the 4th National Lottery Licence.
In line with the approach taken for preparing for previous licences, planning for future operations will be considered at an appropriate time, in accordance with public procurement policy and best practice.”
Louie French, shadow culture minister, said:
“The PM’s socialist promises are colliding with the reality of government. The result is a Prime Minister backpedalling on his own pledges.”
Trying to work out what “public control” actually means seems to be boggling Burnham’s apparatchiks…
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…