Andy Burnham humiliated with three-word takedown as | UK News

Andy Burnham was torn aside as Kevin O’Sullivan and Peter Barnes clashed over his plans for the Labour Party on TalkTV. The MP for Makerfield is at present the only candidate to have emerged in the Labour management race following Keir Starmer‘s resignation last week and may very well be in 10 Downing Street in a matter of months. However, many should not satisfied that he has what it takes, with political strategist Barnes acknowledging that Burnham is “still a little lacking in the detail”.

This kickstarted a fiery debate, with TalkTV presenter O’Sullivan refusing to maintain back in his scathing critique of the previous mayor of Greater Manchester. “A little light? There’s nothing there!” the presenter claimed, before Barnes argued that he’s offering more than other events. “Hang on a second,” the host interjected. “What’s he said? There will be a few more mayors, we’re going to grow our postcodes and he’s going to govern from 10 Coronation Street. That’s it.”

When Barnes urged the north has been uncared for, O’Sullivan snapped back: “So have the west and the east and the south. Is his obsession with the north and Manchester, is that a prejudice against the rest of the country? It looks like to me!”

Firmly disagreeing, Barnes claimed it’s a political transfer to take down Reform UK, including that it’s going to work properly because of the divide between the north and the south.

“You don’t know it works well,” O’Sullivan hit back. “You’re just saying you think it will. You don’t know Andy Burnham’s playing on that and if it will work.”

The two continued to conflict, with O’Sullivan remarking that Burnham will start to wrestle just two weeks after changing into prime minister.

Barnes argued: “It’s the personal brand that pushes him over the edge. That’s why he’s different. That’s why you can’t underestimate him because he’s able to do this kind of thing.”

Doubling down on his criticism, O’Sullivan added: “There’s nothing to him, though.”

“You’d have to ask him,” Barnes responded.

A pissed off O’Sullivan rejected claims that Burnham is a “political colossus”, arguing that he “hasn’t got the faintest idea what he’s doing”.

After persevering with to mock Burnham, O’Sullivan said: “10 Coronation Street, Wigan. The new address of the prime minister. By the way, he’s only going to spend one day a week there. It’s all theatre!”