United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham has come under criticism after travelling abroad for a family holiday just two weeks after assuming office.
Burnham, who became Prime Minister on July 20, is taking a short break from his day-to-day duties to spend time with his family.
According to his aides, the Prime Minister will remain in regular contact with government officials throughout the trip and will continue to hold meetings remotely, insisting that government business will continue uninterrupted during his absence from Downing Street.
The trip has drawn criticism from political opponents.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson said:
“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. This isn’t a Prime Minister that’s serious about leading.”
A Labour source also criticised the decision, telling the Daily Mail:
“Talk about easy mode. A week’s holiday? Because he’s had a difficult summer? Because he had to fight a by-election?”
The source contrasted Burnham’s decision with that of his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, claiming:
“Sir Keir Starmer barely went on holiday. And when he did, he would just sit there with a bottle of rosé and talk through work over the phone. It was inspiring.”
Starmer’s first summer as Prime Minister was disrupted in August 2024 when he cut short his holiday as the UK responded to widespread far-right riots.
Burnham’s office has maintained that he remains fully engaged with government business and will continue to oversee official matters while away.