Andy Burnham became Prime Minister by deception. He should resign or be sacked.

 

The conclusion that Andy Burnham became Prime Minister by deception is based on an arcane piece of Law considered together with an obscure fact.

First I'll set out my interpretation. 

Later I'll give references to the evidence that leads me to that interpretation.

Because of Sections 1 and 6(1) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 Andy Burnham's (supposed) election as an MP on 18th June 2026 was, in the terms of the 1975 Act, "void".

The consequence, it seems to me, is that Andy Burnham is not and has not been at any point since 18th June 2026 a "Member of Parliament" because the effect of Sections 1 and 6(1) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 is, as a matter of Law, that Andy Burnham is "disqualified from membership of the House of Commons".

The consequence, it seems to me, is that Andy Burnham (because his (seeming) election as an MP was "void") was not a legitimate candidate to stand to be Leader of the Labour Party.

In turn on 20th July 2026 Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on the basis of him (supposedly) being an MP who had been elected as Leader of the Labour Party and commanded the confidence of the House of Commons. 

In my view Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister was secured by deception.

In turn, having secured the office of Prime Minister by deception, Andy Burnham appointed a succession of individuals as (supposed) Ministers.

Since Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister was unlawful it seems to me that he had no lawful authority to make Ministerial Appointments.

Similarly, every announcement or decision by Andy Burnham since 20th July 2026 is unlawful and void.

If I am correct, every (supposed) Ministerial decision since 20th July 2026 is unlawful and therefore void.

Now the basis for my interpretation.

Section 1 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 sets out multiple criteria which lead to individuals being "disqualified from membership of the House of Commons".

Section 1(f) can be found here:


and includes a list of offices set out in Parts II and III of Schedule 1 of the Act.

Part II of Schedule 1 can be found here:


Part II of Schedule 1 sets out a list of bodies of which all members are disqualified. 

Among the bodies listed is "A Mayoral development corporation (see section 198 of the Localism Act 2011).".

My understanding is that on 18th June 2026 Andy Burnham was a member of the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation (https://otrmdc.co.uk/ ). 

Putting that together with Section 1(f) of the 1975 Act it seems to me that Andy Burnham was on 18th June 2026 "disqualified from being a member of the House of Commons".

The effect of Section 6(1) of the 1975 Act is that Andy Burnham's (seeming) election as a Member of Parliament on 18th June 2026 is "void".

See the text of Section 6(1) here:


His subsequent resignation as Mayor of Manchester, it seems to me, does not correct the difficulty.

There was (and is) a possible remedy by virtue of Section 6(2) of the 1975 Act which, so far as I can establish, has not taken place.

In any case, a Section 6(2) Order now does not, so it seems to me, remove or correct the deceptions in June and July 2026.

If I am correct that Andy Burnham's (seeming) election as an MP was (as indicated in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975) "void" it seems to me that he became Leader of the Labour Party by deception and, similarly, on 20th July 2026 was appointed as Prime Minister as a consequence of such deception.

It seems to me that Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister was unlawful.

As a consequence it seems to me that every announcement or decision of Andy Burnham as (supposed) Prime Minister on or subsequent to 20th July 2026 is similarly unlawful.
 
On and subsequent to 20th July 2026 Andy Burnham has made multiple (supposed) Ministerial Appointments.

In my view each of those (supposed) Ministerial Appointments is unlawful. 

Those (supposed) Ministers, so it seems to me, had no lawful authority to make announcements or decisions. 

In my view Andy Burnham should resign as (supposed) Prime Minister or be sacked.

(Dr) Andrew Watt


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