‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression.’

‘Better to be overdressed than under.’

‘Clothes maketh the man.’

These phrases often cross my mind when putting an outfit together, probably because I heard them so often from my mother. She, like me, believes that clothes matter. Making an effort with your outfit, showing you’ve given some thought to what you’re wearing, how you’ve put it together, what matches, and what doesn’t, shows a level of respect for a situation. And, more importantly, for yourself.

I do wish some of these well-worn phrases would cross the mind of our scruff-in-chief, Andy Burnham. Not only are some of the prime minister’s clothing choices frankly hideous, what’s worse is that it appears to be a deliberate decision. A decision so important that he chose to announce it days before he was due to become prime minister. Far from discussing the myriad of problems Britain faces, Burnham chose to share with the nation that he plans on ditching his suit and tie for the vast majority of his work.

Burnham’s recent arrival in Ukraine showed that his lax dress code has gone too far. Earlier this week, His Majesty’s prime minister disembarked the train in Kyiv wearing a zip-up polo shirt better suited to a night in Wetherspoons than his first introduction to a nation – and an ally – at war. He may have been travelling, but would it have killed him to stick on a shirt and a smart jacket?

Maybe I’ve been radicalised. I often used to broadcast in a smart suit jacket with a shirt and pocket square, without a tie, thinking this was sufficient. But the combination of a partner who refuses to put the bins out without his hair being styled, and a TV colleague who once took me aside and asked why I don’t wear a tie on air, made me realise I was demeaning my job. And, more importantly, myself.

So I now broadcast in a tie. Every time. Why? Because sartorial standards matter. They matter for those on TV. They matter for those in important jobs. And they certainly matter for the man who has one of, if not the, most important jobs in the country.

Does Burnham think he’s cool not to think this way? Does he believe it’ll make him more ‘down’ with the ‘yoof’ vote? Labour believes 16-year-olds deserve the right to vote, so maybe it makes sense that their leader dresses like one?

Burnham isn’t alone in his poor style. Who can forget the hideous sight of Tony Blair in high-waisted jeans in a ‘casual’ meeting with former US president George W Bush?

Or the worst-dressed prime minister – in fact, the worst-dressed man in history – Boris Johnson? In a stained and ill-fitting suit, un-ironed shirt, unkempt hair, Boris often resembled having been dragged through a hedge backwards, forwards and then being beaten by it.

When did our leaders lose their sense of style? Remember Margaret Thatcher? She used to have Marks & Spencer open early to buy her power suits. The only time you ever saw her in anything other than a coordinated shirt and jacket with matching court shoes was when she was in the back of a tank. Which is exactly how it should be.

In your wildest imagination, could you picture her meeting a foreign dignitary in a t-shirt? She’d beat you with her matching handbag at the mere suggestion, and she’d be right to do so.

Even Keir Starmer made the effort with a suit and tie. Okay, it was Lord Alli who appears to have both chosen and purchased them, but at least Starmer’s clothing was more successful than his tenure as prime minister.

Burnham actually looks quite good in a suit, when he bothers. Can he not just bother a little more often?

Because I do judge people by how they dress. Not by the cost of their clothes – a wardrobe doesn’t need to be expensive to be suitable. I judge the effort made, against the occasion that requires it.

And I expect to be similarly judged. I want people to know I’ve put some thought into it. Yes, it’s a hassle to have an ironed shirt every day. To think whether my jacket and tie work together, or whether my pocket square is the right colour (I’m a fan of a slightly clashing pocket square). The shoes also have to work. Even the socks.

It’s about respect. As prime minister, you’re literally making decisions about people’s livelihoods, about their taxes, their social care, their health care, wars, infrastructure, the economy. You’re meeting other world leaders. You’re leading a huge team, many of whom look up to you.

Doing so in casual sportswear just doesn’t cut it. It shows a lack of respect for the people around you. More importantly, it shows a lack of respect for the office you hold.

And that’s much more important than any spin or focus group that might say younger voters don’t care about how you dress. Our prime minister should be showing younger voters why it matters, and why standards are important.

Andy Burnham is often accused of having much more style over substance. When it comes to his clothing choices, I really wish he did.

Cristo Foufas is a TV and radio presenter.