ANDY Burnham called an MP a “naughty boy" after he was heckled at the House of Commons.
It appears to have been in reference to a famous line from Monty Python's Life of Brian.
The new Makerfield MP was sworn in to cheers from Labour MPs on Monday afternoon, just hours after Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister.
The former Greater Manchester Mayor is seen as the favourite to succeed him, with his chances boosted significantly when former health secretary Wes Streeting said this morning that he would back Burnham in the upcoming contest.
During his swearing after winning the Makerfield by-election, one MP could be overheard shouting: “He’s not the messiah.”
Burnham then looked up and said: “Naughty boy.”
This appears to have been a possible reference to a line from the 1979 British comedy classic Monty Python's Life of Brian. It is shouted by Brian's mother to a crowd of adoring followers who mistakenly believe her son is the Messiah.
If Burnham is the only candidate to receive the support needed to stand in the contest for the vacant Labour leadership, he could become prime minister in mid-July.
In a statement this morning, he said Starmer’s resignation “marks the beginning of a transition”.
Burnham said: “The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.
“This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”
Starmer’s statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.
While his decision remained unclear early on Monday, ministerial allies and Number 10 staff gathered in Downing Street shortly before 9.30am in an indication Starmer was preparing to announce his resignation.
In a statement that competed with a protester playing the EU anthem Ode To Joy, Starmer said his party had asked “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”.
He said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Defending his record, he pledged to give his successor “my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago”.
With a wavering voice, he added: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”
Starmer said he would ask Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to set out a timetable that would see a new leader in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on September 1.
But the anointing of a new leader could come much sooner, with nominations closing on July 16.
Potential candidates have until then to amass the support of at least 81 Labour MPs.
