Burnham Jets Off on Holiday Just a Fortnight Into Premiership, Sparking Political Row – NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has left for an overseas family holiday barely two weeks after entering Downing Street, prompting sharp criticism.

Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, took office on 20 July 2026 after Keir Starmer resigned following a string of election setbacks and internal party pressure. He is now taking a break abroad with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, and their three children.

Downing Street has declined to confirm the destination, saying only that it is understood to be outside the UK.

“Business as usual,” No 10 insists

Officials have stressed that government will continue to function normally while the Prime Minister is away. A No 10 spokesperson said the government “continues to operate as normal with the Prime Minister remaining in contact with officials, holding meetings and receiving regular updates on government business.”

Because Burnham did not appoint a deputy prime minister when he formed his cabinet last month, questions have been raised over who is formally in charge during his absence. Instead of a deputy, he gave Louise Haigh, a close ally who helped run his leadership campaign, the title of First Secretary of State, alongside Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. That makes her the most senior secretary of state in the cabinet, a role comparable to that played by previous deputy prime ministers such as George Osborne under David Cameron, Damian Green under Theresa May, and Peter Mandelson under Gordon Brown. Haigh is understood to be the most senior minister working this week while Burnham is away.

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The holiday comes a day after Burnham announced changes to the prison early-release scheme, a move that has already drawn criticism from victims’ groups and families affected by crimes including manslaughter and domestic abuse.

Reform UK: “He’s bunked off”

Reform UK was the most vocal critic. Deputy leader Richard Tice wrote on social media: “Open borders part time Burnham. Britain is broken. Britain is being invaded. Yet Burnham disappears.”

Party chairman Lee Anderson was similarly pointed: “Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough. After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country, he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad.”

Conservatives strike a different tone

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch declined to criticise Burnham for taking time off, noting that many families, including her own, are on holiday during the school break. “I’m not going to criticise a politician for taking a holiday,” she said. “I’m not going to criticise Andy Burnham for that. It’s children’s school holidays, my children are on a holiday, I hope that everybody should be taking a break.”

Badenoch instead focused her criticism elsewhere, raising concern that Burnham will not face Parliament as prime minister until MPs return from summer recess in September.

Precedent for summer breaks

Commentators have pointed out that taking a holiday early in a premiership, or during parliamentary recess, is not unusual. Theresa May was well known for her walking holidays, and Tony Blair was photographed on holiday in Italy with his family just months into his first term in 1997. Prime ministers are not required to be in Westminster during the summer recess, though they remain reachable and can be recalled if needed.