Andy Burnham's arrival in London as the presumed next prime minister dominated British media on Monday, drawing criticism for overshadowing a deadly rail crash that occurred just days earlier. The fatal collision near Bedford on Friday evening killed one driver and left 53 people injured, with eight in critical condition. Yet, much of the news coverage focused on Burnham's train journey from Manchester to Euston, complete with live helicopter shots from Sky News and GB News footage that resembled horror-movie found footage.
Media Frenzy Over Burnham's Journey
Burnham, who was sworn in as an MP on June 22, 2026, traveled south wearing dark jeans and a T-shirt, changing into a suit in the train lavatory due to a lack of facilities in Manchester. His train was late, prompting jokes about delay repay. The BBC aired live helicopter footage of the train's progress, while GB News chased him at Euston. Sky News then tracked his taxi from Euston to Westminster. This wall-to-wall coverage, described by some as 'very British,' drew sharp criticism from Guardian columnist Marina Hyde.
Comparison to Past Political Transitions
Hyde likened the spectacle to past political transitions, noting the 'twee' aesthetics of the current power transfer. She referenced the SNP's 'Nicola signature range' merchandise and the 'yawning lack of substance' in modern politics. Burnham's team reportedly feels that Keir Starmer's early departure means Andy is 'not going to be close to being ready.' Hyde also predicted a 90% chance of a broadsheet article headlined 'Whisper it, but I have … feelings for Andy Burnham,' recalling Vogue's 2020 declaration that 'suddenly, inexplicably, we all fancy Andy Burnham.'
Rail Disaster Overshadowed
The rail crash near Bedford, the worst in Britain in nearly two decades, was quickly pushed aside by the Westminster frenzy. 'A driver is dead, and eight people are in critical condition, while a further 45 are badly injured and remain in hospital,' Hyde noted. She questioned how such a catastrophic event could be so quickly forgotten, stating: 'How quickly do events that would previously have dominated pass into the rear-view mirror? I guess all our trains of thought run on dopamine now – and perhaps that's a big reason why we never seem to arrive anywhere better.'
Criticism of Media Priorities
Hyde argued that the media's obsession with Burnham's journey highlighted a broader problem: the 'froth and frenzy' of Westminster politics drowning out serious issues. 'The arrival in the capital of a man likely to be the next prime minister is a matter of interest, but the wall-to-wall frenzy had the unfortunate effect of reminding one that it should not even be the biggest public transport story of the day,' she wrote. The crash, which occurred on Friday evening, involved a train traveling towards London colliding with a stationary train outside Bedford. Multiple failsafes in the modern signalling network failed to prevent the tragedy.
Burnham's Political Rise
Burnham, a former Labour MP and mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely expected to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister. His swearing-in on June 22 was accompanied by a photo in Westminster Hall with hundreds of Labour MPs, which Hyde mocked as 'ludicrous' and 'naffer than the Ewoks singing their abysmal Yub Nub song.' She questioned whether Burnham merchandise might soon follow, given the trend for political branding.
Conclusion
Hyde's column serves as a stark reminder of the media's skewed priorities, where the spectacle of political transition eclipses real-world tragedy. As she put it: 'We've had sufficient transfers of power in the past decade to get a feel for their aesthetics, and the style of this one is decidedly twee.' The rail disaster, with its grim toll, deserves far more attention than the 'comfortably familiar delirium' of another changing of the guard in SW1.
