Andy Burnham, the incoming Labour leader, is already steering the party toward becoming Green Party-lite, according to Alex Hearn, Director of Labour Against Antisemitism. In a scathing opinion piece, Hearn argues that Burnham's first major announcement focused on Israel, a foreign conflict where Britain has little influence, rather than pressing domestic issues like the NHS, welfare, policing, and the justice system.
Burnham's Parochial Priorities
Hearn contrasts Burnham with his predecessor Keir Starmer, who was seen as a safe pair of hands to rehabilitate Labour after Jeremy Corbyn. Burnham, who branded himself 'King of the North,' has a wish list that includes moving desks to Manchester for a 'No 10 North' and franchising buses, but lacks a coherent political programme. Meanwhile, the economy faces severe structural problems, and the armed forces remain in crisis.
Focus on Israel Over Domestic Crises
Burnham chose Israel for his first big announcement, a conflict that, thanks to Starmer's performative gestures, Britain has little influence over. Hearn criticizes this choice, noting that Burnham ignored Sudan, Ukraine, and Iran, where tens of thousands have been killed. 'This obsession with Israel is corrosive,' Hearn writes, adding that most racist attacks on British Jews use the conflict as a pretext. The deadly Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester occurred on Burnham's watch as mayor.
Labour's Electoral Dilemma
Hearn argues that Labour is being cannibalized by Reform on the right and the Greens on the left. Instead of fighting for the crowded centre ground, Burnham is chasing 'progressives' and votes from Gaza independents in marginal seats. 'For many of them, no apology or sanctions will ever be extreme enough,' Hearn warns.
Hearn concludes: 'I didn't want Starmer gone because only worse waited in the wings. Now we have Burnham: anointed, unelected, and steering Labour toward Green Party lite.'
