Andy Burnham speaking to Gary Lineker (Image: Goalhanger)
Kemi Badneoch has slammed Andy Burnham for declining to rule out a wealth tax on Britons.
The incoming Prime Minister suggested the Government “might be having to ask for a little more” at some point.
The prime minister-in-waiting did not commit to a change but said the UK needed a “greater sense of fairness” when quizzed on whether he would consider introducing a “wealth tax” on the “super-rich” to tackle inequality in the UK.
The Conservative leader said: “Andy Burnham isn’t even Prime Minister yet but he’s already talking about raising your taxes again. We are heading for another summer of chaos with Labour obsessing about who they can tax to pay for more benefits. It doesn’t matter who is in charge, the problem is the Labour Party.”
Mr Burnham has so far revealed little of his plans for the country despite being just days away from taking office,
Mr Burnham told former footballer Gary Lineker in an interview for the Goalhanger that he would “obviously take my time to properly look at the state of things, particularly the state of finances”.
But he added: “And I just said a moment ago, Gary, about bringing people together. You know, I don’t want to come in and sort of, if you like, create new divisions and pitch people one against another.
“I’m not going rule things out right now. I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness and people feeling that things are being done in the right way and a fair way. But at the same time, you know, I don’t want to sort of be perceived as somebody who’s coming in with grudges and agendas and, you know, going to just immediately find or demonise one group or create a new way of dividing people.”
He added: “So, you know, decisions to be taken in time, they’re going to be difficult. I’m not going to shy away from that. You know, we are going to have to work quite hard to make sure, you know, we can pay our way.
“And at some point that might be having to ask for a little more. But, you know, those decisions are not for now. They’re for another day.”
It has been reported that current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood could become Chancellor under the new administration.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who was also touted for the top Treasury role, is on course to become Foreign Secretary.
Reform’s Shadow Chancellor, Robert Jenrick, said: “Burnham has finally broken his two week silence and admitted that he will hike people’s taxes. But he won’t say which ones. He should stop hiding and rule out the ten taxes – £3,450 for every family – he’s previously supported but has no mandate for. Reform UK will fight him at every turn.”
Mr Burnham suggested to the former Match of the Day host that he would be “very upfront” in areas of disagreement with US President Donald Trump.
Mr Trump last month gave his first public reaction to Mr Burnham as Sir Keir’s successor, with the US President branding him an “extremely liberal” politician and “the mayor of a town”.
Mr Burnham indicated he would be willing to disagree with Mr Trump but would try to “meet him where he’s at” while “respecting the office”.