Andy Burnham has said he will not try to return the UK to the European Union, arguing that Britain would be stuck in "a permanent rut if we're just constantly arguing." In his first major speech since announcing his bid for the Makerfield byelection, the Greater Manchester mayor vowed to have a "relentless domestic focus," declaring: "Let's fix our own country. Let's get it working again. Let's get it back to where people want it to be."
Burnham's Criticism of Labour
Burnham stated that Labour's offer to voters had "simply not been good enough," in his most explicit comments yet that he intends to stand as a candidate to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister should he win the byelection. "If I get to stand, a vote for me will be a vote to change Labour, because Labour needs to change if we are to regain people's trust," he said.
EU Stance and Leadership Contest
Burnham's remarks on the EU came after potential leadership rival Wes Streeting expressed a desire for the UK to rejoin the bloc. Burnham acknowledged that "Brexit has been damaging" but stressed that "the last thing we should do right now is rerun those arguments." He emphasised the need to focus on domestic issues rather than rehashing the EU debate.
Focus on Makerfield and the North-West
Burnham said he wanted to turn the national spotlight on Makerfield and the north-west during his campaign, framing his fight against Reform UK around what could change for such communities. He apologised to residents for the "circus" that the byelection would bring but also expressed hope that long-forgotten places would finally be at the centre of national debate. "My plan for Makerfield will be ambitious and it will show how we lift up its people and places over the next decade," he said.
Critique of Economic Policies
Burnham argued that places like Makerfield had been failed for four decades, citing deindustrialisation in the 1980s followed by deregulation, privatisation, and austerity. He said that "40 years of neoliberalism have not been kind to the north of England" and that trickle-down economics had "siphoned wealth out of those places and into the hands of people for whom life was already very good." He stressed the need for a bigger debate on how politics must change to work properly for the north.
Starmer's Response
Speaking after Burnham's speech, Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted he would not set out a timetable to leave No 10 and wanted to fight the next election. He acknowledged the need to "turn things around" after recent election results and refocus on serving the country.
