Kemi Badenoch accused Andy Burnham of avoiding the “difficult stuff” after the Prime Minister appeared on Gogglebox on Friday night.
The Conservative leader said she was concerned that the Prime Minister was focusing on television appearances instead of taking action to keep people safe.
Mr Burnham became the first PM to take part in Channel 4’s reality programme during a special episode supporting the Stand Up to Cancer charity. He appeared alongside his close ally, Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool.
The full programme aired at 9.05pm and featured Mr Burnham and Mr Rotheram watching emotional cancer stories, along with celebrities including Stanley Tucci, Paul Whitehouse, Joe Lycett and the Sugababes.
One film told the story of Callum, who was 15 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Another followed Shona, who developed cervical cancer, and her husband Will, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Responding to the stories, the PM said: “I just couldn’t imagine” and “it’s devastating for that family”.
Kemi Badenoch accused Andy Burnham of avoiding the “difficult stuff” after the Prime Minister appeared on a special episode of Channel 4’s Gogglebox, pictured with Steve Rotheram
Ms Badenoch questioned how serious the Prime Minister was about leading the country while taking part in light-hearted appearances on popular television programmes
He said: “The only thing that does give some hope is that there is so much incredible research going on. With some of the main cancers of years ago, there has been such significant progress.”
“But it’s utter devastation, isn’t it? If you’re that couple, I don’t know how you cope with that.”
However, Ms Badenoch questioned the Prime Minister’s commitment to leading the country while he continued to make light-hearted appearances on popular television shows.
“I worry that between the Prime Minister appearing on Gogglebox and talking about stockpiling canned goods, they’re not actually doing the really difficult things that will protect the country,” she said.
Tory MP Patrick Spencer also criticised the Prime Minister, saying he wanted him to focus on improving the country rather than appearing on television.
He wrote on Twitter: “There’s a point—as much as we appreciate our PM’s efforts to appear as normal as a soggy biscuit and a pint of milk—when I, and my constituents, would like him to get on with tackling the country’s debt, deficit, energy prices, foreign conflicts, waiting lists, housing shortage, etc, etc, etc.”
Asked about Mr Spencer’s post on BBC 5 Live, Mr Burnham said he had a 10-year plan for the country.
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“But I’m not going to apologise for trying to lead with a bit of levity here and there, and a bit of positivity,” he added.
Mr Burnham became the first PM to appear on Channel 4’s reality television programme
Mr Burnham watched emotional cancer stories as part of the Stand Up to Cancer charity, which he supports
“I’m trying to give the country a lift and trying to give the country some hope.”
He said his appearance had been made in support of Stand Up to Cancer, the charity he supports.
The PM will watch the television shows of the week in the episode and give his assessment.
Asked for his view on the Celebrity Traitors series, he said that politicians could ‘spot faithfuls and traitors a mile off’.
His remarks come after he deposed Sir Keir Starmer in a bloodless coup and replaced him as prime minister.
‘Well, obviously, I would say that politicians have got a lot to offer to those who are looking for tactics in relation to The Traitors,’ he said.
‘I think we can spot faithfuls and traitors a mile off. Our profession teaches us to do that, but it’s a great programme.’
Mr Burnham is no stranger to light-hearted media appearances and has given memorable interviews about his favourite biscuits and how he makes tea.
He has previously ranked pub snacks in a video alongside Chancellor John Healey and been quizzed about his career while on a stepladder.
He has been criticised for his ‘vibes-based approach’ to governing and for announcing minor changes like launching a campaign against ‘headphone dodgers’ rather than tackling the big issues.
Asked about Ms Badenoch’s comments, a Downing St spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister took part in a personal capacity in support of the Stand Up for Cancer charity, and as you know he has a long-standing commitment to supporting charities building on his work as mayor of Greater Manchester and continuing in his office as Prime Minister.’