Poll: Britons unimpressed by Burnham's response to heat, drought and wildfires
A new poll shows British voters are underwhelmed by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's handling of this summer's drought and wildfires, as he also faces pressure to deliver on energy bill promises.
Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, faced his first major test just a month into office as an intense summer heat wave brought drought and wildfires across the country. According to a new poll, voters are not impressed with how he handled it.
Same old constraints
Burnham has pledged to help households with energy bills, much like his predecessor did. But he now finds himself in a similar bind, constrained by the same practical and financial limits that made it difficult for the previous government to deliver relief.
Polling shows that anxious voters want to see concrete action, including improved access to air conditioning and a faster expansion of clean power generation. The recurring heat waves have effectively become Burnham's own political problem to solve.
Drawing up a plan
Responsibility for shaping the government's response has fallen to Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh, who has been tasked with drafting policy proposals. She has said that the British public is "screaming" for change on energy and climate issues.
The episode highlights the broader pressure facing Burnham's government: rising public expectations for swift action colliding with the financial and practical limits that continue to constrain rapid decisions on energy and climate adaptation.
