Andy Burnham, Britain’s new prime minister, rolling out the red carpet for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy? That’s one way to ensure the media eats it up. You can bet your bottom dollar that outlets like CNN and the BBC are all over this PR stunt, spinning it as a heroic stance for democracy while glossing over the messy realities of war and the impact of endless aid.

But let’s dissect that for a moment. Why is the narrative always framed around the heroics of Western leaders? Where’s the coverage of the actual consequences of this ‘support’? You won’t see Fox News, with its occasional glimmers of skepticism, digging deep into the potential fallout of this alliance. Instead, they’ll likely tout it as a bold move while conveniently ignoring the rising skepticism of taxpayers about funding foreign conflicts.

It’s a classic example of media shaping perceptions rather than reporting facts. The mainstream media thrives on pushing this image of unity and valor while avoiding tough questions about how long the U.K. can sustain its role as the Ukraine cheerleaders. Imagine if they focused just half as much on domestic issues as they do on penning this fantastical narrative of international saviorism.

The narrative surrounding Burnham and Zelenskyy isn’t about strength; it’s about distraction. The real challenge is asking tough questions about the interests at play behind this supposed partnership and exposing establishment priorities that often leave the average Brit struggling to make ends meet.