Andy Burnham has said now is not the time to introduce Digital IDs in the UK, after the Prime Minister announced the plans last week.

At an event on Monday hosted by the Guardian Politics podcast live, the Mayor of Greater Manchester was asked whether he backed digital ID, and he replied: “Not now.”

He also rejected suggestions he was “hopeless” on the economy as he defended his recent interventions in national politics.

Burnham’s refusal to back the PM’s plans for Digital IDs comes as Starmer continues to struggles for popularity.

Burnham has also left the door open for a future leadership bid, insisting “you would have to wrench” him out of the north west but refused to rule out the prospect of leaving his mayoralty before the end of the term.

However he has admitted himself he can’

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