Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSimon WaltersTuesday 14 July 2026 13:01 BSTThe questions Andy Burnham urgently needs to answerIncoming prime minister Andy Burnham faces a significant public recognition challenge, with a new poll revealing that 18 million Britons (38 per cent of voters) cannot identify him from a photograph.The JL Partners survey for The Independent showed some voters mistook Burnham for figures such as quiz show host Richard Osman, actor Mel Gibson, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and even his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.While 62 per cent of voters could correctly name Burnham, the poll suggests his public image is largely undefined, presenting both an opportunity as a 'blank slate' and a danger for Labour's standing.Other prominent Labour figures expected to hold cabinet roles also demonstrated low recognition, with fewer than half identifying Angela Rayner (45 per cent) or Ed Miliband (43 per cent), who was famously called 'bacon man'.The poll, conducted among 1,500 UK adults, serves as a 'reality check' for Westminster, indicating that the public's perception of Burnham and his party could change rapidly as he introduces himself to the electorate.In fullFour out of ten Britons still don’t know who Andy Burnham is, poll showsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in