With weeks to go until he becomes a Labour Prime Minister almost no one voted for, Andy Burnham has been busy answering lots of questions. Not from the press, of course. Apart from a sit-down with Andrew Marr last night, the MP for Makerfield has been avoiding journalists like the plague.
He has, however, taken to social media to answer queries from the public. Specifically, this evening, he has chosen Reddit: a platform where only the most toe-curling softball questions can be cherry-picked by his team.
Enter Kemi Badenoch, who has been having none of his scrutiny-dodging. The Tory leader’s team quickly created a Reddit account so she could join in the fun too. Under Burnham’s post inviting users to ‘ask me anything’, Badenoch responded:
Hi Andy, Kemi here. Whilst you’re answering softball questions on Reddit, I’ve been in Yorkshire answering questions from the press. You’re going to be Prime Minister soon so it’s time to start acting like one. Come out from hiding, face a proper press conference and submit yourself to scrutiny and some tough questions. Are you up for it?
Of course, Badenoch herself has not always had the warmest relationship with the press. During her campaign to be party leader, she often jarred with journos and could be tetchy and irritable when facing scrutiny. But nearly two years into the job, she is beginning to master the art of political interviews and press conferences.
While CCHQ initially ignored the likes of The Guardian and Mirror during press conferences, sources close to Badenoch say she now relishes a polite sparring match with the lefty press. Mr S hopes Burnham mans up and takes a leaf out of her book soon. If he really cares about democracy, it is time to stop hiding behind Reddit and let the lobby read him the riot act.
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