Andy Burnham and his social media team know how to connect with us. We\u2019re no fools, though \u2013 this has to be backed by serious policies<\/p>\n
Strapped up in his navy suit, blue tie and charmingly nerdy glasses, Andy Burnham entered No 10 newly appointed as our fifth prime minister in four years. I didn\u2019t watch this historic scene live on BBC News. Instead, I saw a 10-second clip on TikTok<\/a>, with a viral Love Island soundbite: \u201cA hot new bombshell has entered the villa.\u201d Not exactly the introduction you might expect from a world leader \u2013 or is it?<\/p>\n The video sent millions of eyes rolling backwards and many flocking to the comments, cringing at the idea of British politics succumbing to ridiculous social media trends. Critics have called his social media strategy \u201ctrivial\u201d and a \u201cdistraction\u201d<\/a>. After years of leadership turmoil and a flailing Labour government under Keir Starmer, should we really be making light of yet another transfer of power on a platform designed for teenagers?<\/p>\n Lucy O\u2019Brien is a deputy audience editor at the Guardian<\/p>\n