Camilla Tominey was involved in a heated exchange with Labour Housing Minister Steve Reed after she accused him of “hypocrisy” over his support for Andy Burnham.
Reed, a long-time supporter of Keir Starmer, defended his backing of the former Manchester mayor, who is being talked about as a possible future leader.
Kicking off the interview, Tominey said: “Only last month you were fully behind Keir Starmer, saying he was the best thing since sliced bread, and now just weeks later you’re backing Andy Burnham.”
She added that the public would find it “ridiculous” that Reed had shifted support so quickly, suggesting Labour figures were now positioning themselves for future cabinet roles as leadership speculation grows.
Reed rejected the accusation, insisting there was nothing inconsistent in his position.
He said that if a new leader was to be chosen, he believed Burnham would be the strongest candidate, adding: “What’s the issue with supporting someone while they are leader, and then backing someone else once they step down?”
He told Tominey she had asked for his view and he had simply given it, saying she might not agree but it was his honest opinion.
The discussion then became more tense as Tominey challenged whether Burnham could become Prime Minister without a general election.
“If Andy Burnham is so good, why not call a general election?” she asked.
Reed replied that the UK operates as a parliamentary democracy, where MPs select the party leader who becomes Prime Minister.
As the back-and-forth continued, Reed accused critics of focusing too much on internal political drama rather than government policy.
“I’m not interested in this sort of Westminster games people seem obsessed with,” he said, adding that he was focused on delivering change for the public.
Tominey also raised past comments made during the fallout from Liz Truss’s resignation, highlighting a previous post calling for a general election.
Reed defended his position, saying the situation at the time was different because the Conservatives were “in chaos” and the country had seen multiple leadership changes in a short period.
He argued that this situation was a “smooth transition” by comparison, insisting his focus remained on delivering for the public rather than political infighting.
