Today’s News2 September 2026 at 08:01
Burnham faces first Prime Minister's Questions
Crossbencher Newsdesk
The Prime Minister faces his first Prime Minister's Questions today, with GB News reporting he is dealing with a major financial shortfall. The Daily Express describes it as a huge showdown against Kemi Badenoch.
The BBC quotes Chris Mason asking whether Burnham will find PMQs as nerve-wracking as Blair did. The Guardian carries a George Monbiot column arguing Burnham has already made a mistake that will cost him his premiership - he lost his nerve over political donations. The Mirror says Burnham struck a hopeful note in his first Commons test, but difficult choices loom.
PMQs is theatre, but the theatre matters - it's the one weekly occasion the Prime Minister must answer an opponent's choice of question, not his own. Blair described it as the most nerve-wracking thing he did. The format hasn't changed since the Parliament of the first Burnham government's grandparents sat. Every Prime Minister arrives thinking they will master it; most leave remembering the occasions it mastered them.
The test isn't whether Burnham wins today. It's whether he is still willing to turn up in a year.
Sources and receipts (4) +
- as captured - The Independent: UK politics live: Burnham warned he will have to raise taxes on middle classes to fund defence spending source · db46558a… →
- as captured - Daily Mail: Burnham will NOT commit to 3% defence timetable: Plans to meet target will be under wraps until spending review in 2027 source · 77b1ee96… →
- as captured - The Guardian: Fund defence spending from tax rise on middle earners, thinktank tells Healey source · 9d864484… →
- as captured - The Sun: Labour in revolt over plans to switch off Freeview as MPs demand free TV is kept until 2044 to protect pensioners source · a155c6e3… →
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