Burnham's approach is unusual but it should work, former deputy Labour leader says

Andy Burnham's approach is unusual but it should work, former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has said.

Baroness Harman admitted to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on the Insider edition of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that she was initially "very surprised" when the presumptive prime minister gave his first substantial policy speech on Monday without taking questions from the media.

"It doesn't feel like he's following the normal way of doing things," she said.

"But I think that really everything is going to be different with Andy Burnham.

"I think he's saying politics is going to be different, so the country's going to be different."

You can listen to the full conversation on the Sky News Insider edition of Electoral Dysfunction.

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She added that everything about how Mr Burnham is most likely going to become Labour leader is "very unusual" as he was not even elected in 2024 under Sir Keir Starmer's manifesto.

The newly elected Makerfield MP was introducing himself with his speech on Monday, she said.

"I don't think that he's the sort of person that will want to avoid accountability once he's done something," said Baroness Harman, who served in Gordon Brown's cabinet with Mr Burnham.

Speculation has been rife over who Mr Burnham will appoint to his cabinet, but on Monday, he said he would make no announcements until he becomes leader - which could be as soon as 17 July if nobody else puts their hat in the ring.

(c) Sky News 2026: Burnham's approach is unusual but it should work, former deputy Labour leader says