Why The PM Must Be Wary His 'Burnham Bounce' Does Not Turn Into A Boomerang

“There is a danger that his popularity will fall, and fall quickly,” pollsters warn.

Political Correspondent

He’s only two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already been hit with his first deadline.

A British commander warned the prime minister on Thursday that he needs to make his defence spending commitments clear by the autumn – or risk losing his support.

General Sir Richard Barrons, who co-authored the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, warned “a much more challenging discussion about what do you really think you’re doing with this government” awaits Burnham if he has not outlined plans by September or October.

His words follow a week where ministers repeatedly refused to commit to the previous target of spending 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence by 2030.

It’s an obstacle which proved fatal to Keir Starmer’s premiership.

John Healey resigned as defence secretary over a lack of spending for his department in June, something which helped to accelerate the former prime minister’s downfall.

By making Healey his chancellor, Burnham has sent clear signals that he will respect demands to hike up the department’s budget.

So why did the new defence secretary, Wes Streeting, only commit to the Nato pledge 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 – a date which is in the next parliament – this week?

He told broadcasters that while the government is not “ruling out” the 3% spending commitment by 2030 but added: “It’s really important we........

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