Burnham's summer tour is over - now he has to prove himself in Parliament
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces his first major parliamentary test as the House of Commons returns from summer break. After a period of setting his own agenda, he must now navigate intense scrutiny and opposition questioning.
Why it matters
The transition from a 'honeymoon' period to active parliamentary oversight is a pivotal moment for any new government's stability and policy success.
Image source, Getty Images/Ryan Jenkinson Image caption, Things are about to get a lot tougher for the new prime minister
Andy Burnham is set to come under the most intense scrutiny of his political life when Parliament returns on Tuesday.
Since coming to power six weeks ago, the new prime minister has largely been free to set his own agenda.
The timing of Labour's leadership contest meant he walked into Number 10 after the House of Commons began its summer break, denying MPs the chance to question him and creating what some have seen as a honeymoon period.
Burnham has embarked on what Downing Street called a "summer tour" of the UK, appeared on podcasts and announced a series of eye-catching policies, mainly aimed at tackling the cost of living.
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