Andy Burnham has always liked to be liked. Back in the 1980s at his secondary school near Liverpool, he walked a tightrope between being a good student and one of the lads, as he recalls in his autobiography-cum-manifesto, *Head North*. Now, as the new leader of a divided country, he's trying the same balancing act on a national scale - appealing to opposing interests while flashing that upbeat brand. "Let's build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity," he chirped in his first speech outside 10 Downing Street. After a post-Brexit decade of angry rightwing politics, Labour infighting, and endless culture wars, Burnham's affable, seemingly inclusive schtick has a strong initial appeal. This week, Labour is ahead of Reform UK in the polls for the first time in 18 months. Maybe some voters have finally had enough of divisive politics and fancy trying something different. But Burnham's instinct to not upset people sits uneasily with his lifelong desire to effect transformative change. The question is: will his crowd-pleasing ways survive the inevitable need to make enemies?