Boris Johnson’s and Rishi Sunak’s advice for incoming PM Andy Burnham

Former Conservative Leaders Share Wisdom With Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Boris Johnson s and Rishi Sunak - As Andy Burnham readies himself to assume the role of prime minister this coming Monday, a number of his Conservative predecessors have stepped forward to offer their guidance on navigating the demanding responsibilities of the position. While Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that he will refrain from offering public counsel to his successor, several recent holders of the premiership have been notably more open, emphasizing the considerable time pressures that Mr Burnham will encounter. The incoming leader faces a complex landscape of domestic and international challenges that require careful prioritization and strategic decision-making from day one.

Sunak's Reflections on Time Management

In a contribution to The Sunday Times, Rishi Sunak encouraged Mr Burnham to "soak up every second" of his arrival in Downing Street, revealing that he wished he had permitted himself "a moment of reflection" during his own transition. However, Sunak emphasized that once inside the office, it was "imperative" for a prime minister to "have a plan" for utilizing their schedule most efficiently, which includes regular engagement with Members of Parliament and the pursuit of "two or three" central priorities from No 10.

Mr Sunak said: "The constraints on your time mean it is vital you pick your priorities, and communicate them to Whitehall quickly while your stock is at its highest."

Amid growing speculation regarding Mr Burnham's potential Cabinet selections, Mr Sunak also highlighted the significance of appointing the "most able" ministers to positions that aligned most closely with a prime minister's core objectives. This approach ensures that each minister can contribute effectively to the government's agenda while allowing the prime minister to focus on overarching strategic goals.

The Foreign Secretary's Critical Role

While much attention has centered on whether Ed Miliband or Shabana Mahmood might serve as chancellor, the former prime minister noted that the selection of foreign secretary would prove to be the most consequential decision. He explained: "Burnham wants to spend less time on international affairs than his predecessor did, but this will begin to be possible only if he has a foreign secretary who is sufficiently well known and respected on the global stage to stand in for him."

Nevertheless, Mr Sunak cautioned that this arrangement would only extend so far, recommending that Mr Burnham secure personal meetings with other world leaders, given "the extent to which personal relationships influence international diplomacy." Referencing his own negotiations with the European Union, he remarked: "We would never have got the Windsor Framework done if I had not built up a relationship of trust with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president."

Johnson's Practical Advice

Another of Mr Burnham's predecessors, Boris Johnson, also extended some guidance to the incoming prime minister during an interview with Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips. Mr Johnson expressed that he wished Mr Burnham "well," but echoed Mr Sunak's sentiment that he "hasn't got much time," noting that the public is currently "doomscrolling through prime ministers." He continued: "He needs to get on and he needs to give investors in this country a sense of hope about it."

Johnson emphasized that this requires finding reasons to buy British, getting stuck in, and stopping the haemorrhage of talent. He also noted that Mr Burnham needs to think about what he's doing on tax, adding that Labour needs to get a grip on spending. The collective wisdom from these former leaders underscores the multifaceted challenges awaiting Mr Burnham as he prepares to lead the nation, from managing his own schedule to making strategic appointments and addressing both domestic and international concerns.