Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken openly about experiencing "impostor syndrome" early in his career, attributing these feelings to his working-class background and the lack of connections that often facilitate entry into prestigious roles.

Burnham, who returned to Parliament following his recent victory in the Makerfield by-election and assumed the prime ministership less than two weeks ago, reflected on the challenges he faced despite early roles as a researcher for the late Labour MP Tessa Jowell and later as a special adviser. He noted that many of his contemporaries advanced more quickly into desirable positions due to family connections, a factor he said can delay confidence and a sense of belonging for individuals from working-class backgrounds.

In an appearance on the "Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future" podcast hosted by Jimmy McLoughlin, Burnham emphasized the importance of work shadowing opportunities to help young people overcome barriers associated with unfamiliar professional environments. He argued that allowing young individuals, particularly those from less connected backgrounds, to observe and participate in senior roles can build confidence and diminish feelings of inadequacy.

“If you are in a senior position in any field in Britain, you should offer work shadowing,” Burnham said. “Just let a young person come in and be in the room. They might think, ‘I can’t be here,’ but actually, once they’re there, they can see how it works and develop confidence.”

However, Burnham’s leadership decisions have sparked criticism from opposition figures. After dismissing several loyalists to his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, Burnham appointed Wes Streeting as the new Secretary of State for Defence despite Streeting’s lack of direct experience in military matters. Conservative Party sources criticized the appointments, suggesting that some exhibited signs of nepotism rather than merit-based selection.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party commented, “There is more than a hint of nepotism around some of the appointments. Andy might need to look close to home if he wants to build a genuine meritocracy.”

The debate highlights ongoing tensions about fairness and representation in British politics, with Burnham advocating for increased access and inclusion for those from underrepresented backgrounds, while critics question the criteria behind recent Cabinet selections.