Andy Burnham is set to embark on a summer tour of areas where Labour has lost support to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The incoming prime minister will get out and about around the country from "the backend of August", according to an aide. They told The Spectator: "He wants to get out into these places in the country where Labour has lost favour with people or that are difficult places for us to go at the moment, and confront those issues head on."
Positive Message Over Attacking Farage
A leading figure in his by-election campaign insisted that he would attempt to win back voters with a positive message rather than attacking Mr Farage and Reform. The Burnham aide said: "You don’t need to sling mud at your opposition." They added: "He didn’t at any point attack Farage in Makerfield. He is really clear on that, internally as well… We have to sell a message that people want to buy. He did do that in Makerfield."
Reform UK's Growing Influence
It comes as Reform UK has been consistently leading national opinion polls for the last year. Mr Farage's party has swiped voters from Labour heartlands, including the Red Wall in northern England as well as Wales. Mr Burnham is set to enter 10 Downing Street on Monday after being the only candidate in the Labour leadership race.
Criticism and Plans
However, the former Greater Manchester mayor has come under fire for dodging media interviews since his Makerfield by-election win and little is known about his plans. He has said he will create a "No 10 North" to move some of the Downing Street operation to Manchester. Mr Burnham also hinted at tax hikes in an interview with football pundit Gary Lineker, saying he “might be having to ask for a little more”.
