Politics · United Kingdom · 12 hrs ago
Burnham’s shift to social media raises questions about press scrutiny
Andy Burnham is putting more focus on social media and online personalities to reach people, including younger audiences who may feel distant from politics.
At the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, he travelled without the usual group of reporters, taking one TV crew and one news agency journalist.
During the three-day summit, which included discussions about slavery and possible reparations, he answered media questions for seven and a half minutes in two BBC interviews.
At the 2024 Commonwealth summit, Keir Starmer brought a full press contingent and held a press conference and an on-plane question session.
The change has raised concerns about whether journalists can properly scrutinise the government, since short clips and lifestyle interviews may involve less challenging questions than a full press conference.
Downing Street says Burnham has also taken part in longer interviews, including a recent grilling on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
If journalists feel shut out or unable to question policy, they may push back, according to a former media adviser.
Andy Burnham’s shift toward social media and other less traditional formats has raised questions about whether he is facing enough press scrutiny.
At the Commonwealth heads of government meeting, he travelled without the usual group of reporters and took just seven-and-a-half minutes of media questions over three days.
Downing Street says the meeting offers very limited journalist access and points to Burnham’s other interviews and media events.
Burnham says social media content can connect with people, particularly younger audiences who feel distant from politics.
Some observers warn that limiting access to journalists could prompt a strong response from the press.
- Who
- Andy Burnham, Downing Street officials and observers concerned about press scrutiny.
- What
- Burnham’s move toward social media and other formats has prompted questions about whether he faces enough scrutiny from journalists.
- When
- The article was published on 8 November 2026; it refers to interviews broadcast that week and a media grilling the previous month.
- Where
- At the Commonwealth heads of government meeting; the article does not state its location.
- Why
- Burnham says traditional media is less relevant and that social media content can connect with younger people. Critics question whether the approach reduces opportunities for scrutiny.
Those concerned about reduced press scrutiny
Burnham and Downing Street
Access to journalists
Those concerned about reduced press scrutiny
Some observers say the approach may limit opportunities for journalists to scrutinise policies.
Burnham and Downing Street
Downing Street says Burnham does not dodge scrutiny and points to longer-form interviews and a recent ITV grilling.
Media approach
Those concerned about reduced press scrutiny
A former media adviser warns the press may react strongly if it is shut out or denied proper chances to scrutinise policies.
Burnham and Downing Street
Burnham says traditional media is less relevant and that the world is “not like that any more”.
At the previous Commonwealth summit, Keir Starmer travelled with a full press contingent and held a press conference and an on-plane Q&A.
Burnham faced questioning on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Burnham said in an interview that traditional media was less relevant and the world was “not like that any more”.
Burnham attended the Commonwealth heads of government meeting without the usual accompanying group of reporters.
- Media questions at the meeting
- Seven-and-a-half minutes over three days, through two brief BBC chats
- Burnham’s travelling media group
- One TV crew and one news agency journalist
- Previous Commonwealth summit
- 2024
- Social media video
- Burnham and Chancellor John Healey ranked pub snacks
What people are saying
connects with people, particularly younger people who may have felt quite distanced from politics
Definitely. I left Westminster for a reason. I got fed up with commentators deciding things down there, and the whole world is meant to believe what they believe. Well, sorry, the world’s not like that any more.
When the going is good, he can probably get away with it
if things get worse and it feels like the press is getting shut out, or not being given the chance to properly scrutinise policies, then in my experience the media are pretty good at working as a pack, and will come down quite hard.