EXCLUSIVE: Brits have reacted to the news of Andy Burnham going on holiday and leaving Haigh in charge.
Louise Haigh Unknown To The Public
Andy Burnham is on holiday just two weeks after entering Downing Street, leaving a lesser-known figure to lead the country. As the new Labour Party leader bucked the tradition of appointing an official deputy, Louise Haigh is serving as the de facto Prime Minister as the First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office.
She has been confirmed as the senior minister and is working to execute Burnham’s instructions across government while he is away. Although the Prime Minister is said to be keeping close contact with Haigh and other officials, his decision to take a break just over a fortnight after succeeding Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised. As well as leaving the country at a time when the British people are looking for leadership and assurance, his decision not to name a Deputy Prime Minister and leave Haigh, the MP for Sheffield Healey, in charge has also raised eyebrows.
Louise Haigh is in charge of the government while Andy Burnham is away (Image: Getty)
“I can’t remember her name, it’s Louise somebody,” Caroline Bodley tells the Daily Express after being shown a picture of Louise Haigh.
She continues: “Everybody needs a holiday but I’m not impressed that he’s (Andy Burnham) gone at this stage. I’m not impressed with that but, then again, he does need a break.
“He’s been planning to become Prime Minister for nearly two years so I don’t see why he needs break now when there’s so many other things that we need to deal with in this country.”
Ms Bodley also believes it was a mistake not to name a Deputy Prime Minister. The 65-year-old adds: “It’s a lack of understanding about us – the voters.
“And I think it’s disrespectful really to have someone who’s not very experienced at all and hasn’t been in government for a while to be running the country while he’s away on holiday.”
Caroline Bodley disagrees with Burnham going on holiday so early in his premiership (Image: Ian Vogler)
Haigh, who currently serves as First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office, has been in frontline politics for 11 years. She was first elected as MP for Sheffield Heeley in 2015 and has since held shadow cabinet roles as well as Secretary of State for Transport in 2024.
“I have no idea,” says a smiling Nicholas Blenkinsopp when shown the same picture of Haigh. “The new Prime Minister is on holiday? He’s only been in like two weeks!”
The 28-year-old, who is originally from New Zealand but now lives permanently in London, adds: “I think the Brits should work a bit harder shouldn’t they? I’m going to take next week off.”
He then questioned why Burnham didn’t name a deputy, saying: “I didn’t know Secretary of State would become Prime Minister? That’s interesting that he didn’t name one. It’s odd.” He then adds: “Hopefully she makes some changes.”
Nicholas Blenkinsopp questions why Burnham hasn’t named a deputy (Image: Ian Vogler)
Haigh was forced to resign as Transport Secretary in 2024 after her 2014 conviction for fraud by false representation came to light. She falsely reported to police that her work phone had been stolen during a mugging.
“No, it doesn’t mean anything to me,” was the reaction of David Price when he was shown a picture of Haigh. “I would say best of luck to her”, he adds.
The 77-year-old, who is visiting family in London from Durham, then jokes that Burnham “deserves a holiday”. He continues: “I probably wouldn’t recognise a few of the cabinet at the moment.”
Meanwhile, Ishwar Kapadia did recognise a picture of Haigh. When asked what he knows about her current role in politics, he replies: “Not much. She was under Starmer, then went away and came back, I think?”
The 73-year-old adds: “The whole country is on holiday at the moment so everything seems to be calm. I think he’s only going away for a week so let him finish this and then everything will take care of itself afterwards hopefully.”
David Price didn’t recognise Louise Haigh (Image: Ian Vogler)
Ishwar Kapadia recognised a picture of Louise Haigh (Image: Ian Vogler)
He continues: “It’s not going to make much difference with the way the country is going. Nothing seems to work like before, everything is a struggle to get done. Even if you’re spending money everything is a struggle to get done.”
Mr Kapadia also points out that it’s going to take time for the current Labour government to become well-known public faces. Sabria Khakoo agrees with this and believes the new leadership deserve time to prove themselves to the British public.
When shown a picture of Haigh and asked if she knows who she is, the 58-year-old says: “I don’t at a glance, but my initial thought is she would be in government. But there’s been a shuffle so let’s give it time.”
Ms Khakoo adds: “He (Burnham) has probaby put someone in charge who’s capable. The guy has moved from Manchester and everyone needs a holiday.”
Sabria Khakoo believes we should give Burnham a chance (Image: Ian Vogler)
Monica Baga believes political leaders should be well known (Image: Ian Vogler)
The government has insisted that Burnham remains in regular contact with Haigh and his government while being away. They said he would fly back to the UK in the case of an emergency.
She continues: “I like giving a party a chance. I just think having all these rapid turnovers of prime ministers, my head can’t keep up with it.
“It’s going to take time to get used to who’s in and who’s out. As long as the message is coming from the top.”
Monica Baga was also unable to identify Haigh but agrees that Burnham “deserves a holiday”. However, she notes that such a senior political figure should be known by the public. “So many people wouldn’t know who she is,” the 56-year-old adds.