If the history of British politics was based on each prime minister’s first hundred days, things might look very different. Gordon Brown (father of the nation) and Theresa May (imposing her iron will on a divided party and country) would be remembered as political colossi destined for famous victories. Margaret Thatcher, reeling from a divisive first Budget, was on her way to becoming an abject failure who would be lucky to get a footnote in the history books.

On 27 October, Andy Burnham marked his hundredth day as Prime Minister, and the milestone’s usefulness as a measure of success, imported as it is from the political culture of Washington DC, seemed as dubious as ever. The real verdict on whether the Burnham project is a success or not will come further down the line, starting with the aftermath of John Healey’s Budget, which was delivered on day 101 of this government.

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