No 10 insists Andy Burnham writes ‘most of his own speeches’ after aide spotted using ChatGPT on train

Downing Street has stated that Andy Burnham writes "most of his own speeches" after an advisor was photographed using ChatGPT.

A member of the Prime Minister’s team was captured seeking feedback from the AI software on a draft for Saturday’s Welsh Labour conference, with the application recommending steps to render the address "a little more emotive".

The photograph, published by the Mail on Sunday, seemingly shows the staff member drinking Prosecco whilst working on the text aboard an afternoon train travelling from London Euston to Holyhead.

A No 10 spokesperson said: "The PM writes most of his own speeches. An aide sought feedback on a speech draft that had already been written."

It is understood that the suggestions offered by ChatGPT were not incorporated into the speech.

According to the Mail, the chatbot had written: "I prefer the second (passage). It moves from the miners to their families to the wider community, showing how the experience of industrial work created bonds well beyond the workplace."

Mr Burnham used his speech on Saturday to speak about the importance of “industry” in giving people a “deep sense of belonging”, describing the workplaces in Wales that “created a way of life, the social infrastructure that we took for granted, the working men’s clubs, the sports teams, the choirs, the trade unions”.

Criticising Margaret Thatcher’s legacy, he said the country “took some wrong turns in the 1980s that shattered the way of life for communities up and down Britain”.

“Economic power privatised, political power centralised and, overall, a loss of agency in places up and down Britain,” he said.

“The mines closed, factories closed, steelworks silenced. It was felt everywhere.

“And, you know, that has kind of left us for 40 years in a place where communities haven’t had the power that they needed to turn things around.”

Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson joked that it must be “thirsty work” writing the Prime Minister’s speeches.

“AI Andy’s man-of-the-people act has been exposed as a sham,” he said.