THERE is no way Andy Burnham can call himself a legitimate prime minister. Not until he has won an election called while Reform are ahead in polling. 

He has no legitimacy. He has no mandate. However Labour decide to crown him, he is merely a caretaker, a lame duck prime minister installed against the will of the people except those deluded ones in Makerfield.

The King in the North is a pretender. The King Outta Clacton is the real deal. Morally, Burnham has no option to call a general election. But for it to be fair, it must be one he will lose.

Now would be acceptable, while Reform are on 26 per cent and Nigel has not been pressed about that five million quid. But should Burnham coming to power unaccountably boost Labour in the polls, he has a duty to hold off.

In those circumstances he would have to wait a week, a month, even a year until his popularity dwindles. To be elected on the basis of a short-term bounce would be even more of an injustice than his being in Downing Street at all.

Perhaps the decision should not be left to him. Perhaps it is best passed to the truly impartial: those newspapers which represent the people, GB News and of course our ruler-in-waiting.

Why should we need an intermediary to inform King Charles his parliament is dissolved and Britain is ready, at last, to ascend to its post-Brexit greatness? The Mail has several paid employees masquerading as Palace staff. They can do it directly.

Enter Downing Street if you like, Mr Burnham. You are but a lodger. But when the time is right an election will be called and you’ll be out on your illiterate Scouse ear.

Oh, and this time only white men will be allowed to vote, to keep it honest.