STEPHEN DAISLEY: Perhaps Burnham will surprise us all, but I doubt it. A PM with a clue? We'd have heard about it sooner, surely

Progressive:Working-class champion — progressive outlets highlighted his northern working-class roots and framed his ascent as a direct challenge to entrenched south-north inequality.

Moderate:Stability amid chaos — centrist outlets emphasized the tumultuous context, viewing his succession as necessary leadership change during political instability and economic stagnation.

Conservative:Practical reformer — conservative outlets praised his focus on immediate concerns like cost-of-living and services, framing 'rewiring' as pragmatic modernization.