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Does Andy Burnham’s pivot from press to social media put scrutiny at risk?

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Does Andy Burnham’s pivot from press to social media put scrutiny at risk?

A lifestyle podcast or brief TV clip is less taxing than a full press conference – but No 10 insists the PM is not ducking accountability

In an interview this week Andy Burnham said he believed the traditional media was less relevant and the world was “not like that any more”. But some people are now asking: does this change in approach mean less scrutiny?

The question was in part prompted by Burnham’s decision to travel to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) without the usual accompanying pack of reporters, instead bringing just one TV crew and a news agency journalist.

Across three days of the event, which featured discussions of an apology for slavery and possible reparations, and during which significant global events occurred, including the US midterm elections, Burnham faced just seven-and-a-half minutes of media questions, via two brief BBC chats.

Downing Street officials say Chogm is unique in offering very limited access to journalists, and that the prime minister had done other interviews and media events beforehand.

But it was nonetheless a change. At the last Commonwealth summit in 2024, Keir Starmer took along a full press contingent, submitting himself to both a press conference and a “huddle” – an off-camera but on-record Q&A on the government plane on the way over, in which each travelling journalist gets a question.

When it comes to communications, Burnham and his team are unapologetic about doing things differently. As well as talking to influencers and podcasters, the prime minister is an adept social media performer himself, with an output that ranges from more traditional pieces to camera to a YouTube video where he and the chancellor, John Healey, ranked pub snacks.


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