Andy Burnham has sworn his parliamentary oath on the Jerusalem Bible, as he re-entered the House of Commons.
Makerfield’s new MP was met with a heckle from the opposition benches of “he’s not the Messiah”. Referencing Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Burnham responded “naughty boy”. A shout of “turning water into wine, Andy” was also heard in the chamber, as he signed the official documents.
“Rome is saved” was the shout from Sir Desmond Swayne, a Christian MP from the Conservatives, as Burnham could become the next Prime Minister.
It looks as though the former mayor of Greater Manchester will be uncontested as Sir Keir Starmer’s replacement, with Wes Streeting now backing him despite previously signalling his intention to stand in a leadership contest.
Sir Keir announced his intention to resign as Labour leader and Prime Minister during a Downing Street speech on Monday morning.
Burnham has spoken about how Catholic teaching “underpins” his politics, but that he has “drifted” from the faith in adulthood over the Church’s teachings on sexuality.