Andy Burnham has jetted off on holiday just 15 days after walking into Number 10. That is the earliest a PM has enabled their out of office notice in modern history. Theresa May comes the closest, and even her trip the Alps was a month into her premiership. Burnham has halved her record, although at least he waited longer than some Cabinet colleagues…
| PM | Took office | First holiday | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham | 20 Jul 2026 | 4 Aug 2026 | 15 days |
| May | 13 Jul 2016 | 12 Aug 2016, Swiss Alps | 4 weeks |
| Brown | 27 Jun 2007 | Aug 2007, Dorset (returned early) | About 6 weeks |
| Blair | 2 May 1997 | Aug 1997, Tuscany | About 3 months |
| Cameron | 11 May 2010 | Aug 2010, Cornwall | About 3 months |
| Johnson | 24 Jul 2019 | Dec 2019, Mustique | 5 months |
| Starmer | 5 Jul 2024 | Late Dec 2024, Madeira | 6 months |
| Sunak | 25 Oct 2022 | Aug 2023, California | 9 months |
| Truss | 6 Sep 2022 | Obviously never took one | Resigned after 49 days |
Who in the real world vanishes from their desk two weeks after starting a new job? Even a new graduate wouldn’t dare to do it, let alone a CEO…
Justice Secretary Alex Norris has apologised to the family of PC Andrew Harper after Burnham’s reworked early release scheme will still let out his killers early:
“As I’ve said to both them, I’m very sorry we’re in this situation. We would have liked to have gone further… it comes down to the conviction type. Harper’s law has changed with a mandatory life sentence. We had to make a judgement about which offences we could take out of scope. We haven’t been able to… We’d be in a world where we couldn’t be arresting people.”
The scheme was due to release 6,000 people in the first tranche, which will be reduced to 5,000 after Burnham removed rapists, serious child sex offenders, and groomers from eligibility. Hardly more than a splash…
Thames Valley Police have said the early release is “demoralising” for all police officers and Harper’s widow said:
“This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets. What abhorrent message does this send? How dare Ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments.
The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt. The killers of Andrew have shown no remorse… they robbed us of our future. They are vile criminals, and they should remain in jail.
To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice. The Government and the justice system have not just let me down… they have added insult to injury. They are meant to be on our side.
This is an utter betrayal – and it’s one I will not be able to forgive or forget.”
Burnham had originally said of the situation: “The main perpetrator will not be subject to any early release. Of course, others involved have potentially been identified. But I’ve spoken to the new Justice Secretary. He will review the policy and make further statements in due course.” And been unable to do anything…
Legendary columnist Rod Liddle has died at the age of 66 after a short illness. His children Wilder, Tyler and Emmy released a statement this afternoon:
“We’re all very saddened and shocked at the sudden passing of our wonderful father. He raised us much as you might imagine, to be inquisitive, brave and always humorous. Even in hospital in the last few weeks, he consistently held the room and never let the awful situation show. He has left a legacy that we are all incredibly proud of, he will always be our guide on how to live an extraordinary life.”
One of the best in the business. Rest in peace.
The early battle lines are being drawn for the 2028 London mayoral race. New polling from Opinium suggests if the Tories even want to be viable, they would perform better with a fresh candidate from outside Westminster than with a former minister. No one has thrown their hat in the ring yet. Expect Guido’s runners and riders soon…
The polling put the Conservatives on 17% of first preferences, level with Reform and behind Labour on 32% and the Greens on 18%. On those numbers, the Tories don’t make the final run-off…
That said, the voters most open to switching are those currently backing Reform, of whom 29% would consider a Tory, and Labour, on 20%. Respondents were shown two hypothetical Conservative candidates. One was an entrepreneur, and the other had spent more than a decade as a government minister. Asked which they would rather vote for, 37% chose the entrepreneur, compared to 20% for the ex-minister…
The survey also shows 36% naming crime and policing as one of London’s biggest problems and as the issue the Mayor can most influence. Of course, there’s also the question of whether Sir Sadiq / Lord Khan decides to stand for a fourth term. Opinium’s data shows 51% of Londoners think the city is heading in the wrong direction, and Khan’s own approval rating stands at -7. Does David Lammy fancy his chances? He’s not as busy as he used to pretend to be…
Burnham confirms he spoke to Trump last night about drilling in the North Sea:
“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here. There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president…”