Andy Burnham sought to calm a brewing Brexit storm on Monday, pinning his hopes for a by-election victory on a shift to the Left. The Greater Manchester mayor acknowledged that leaving the European Union had been 'damaging' but stressed he was not advocating for immediate rejoining.
Northern Investment Summit Speech
Speaking at a Northern investment summit, Burnham criticised 'neoliberalism' and 'trickle-down' economics, arguing that wealth had been 'syphoned off' from workers. He indicated that the North would receive increased funding at the expense of the South, claiming the opposite had occurred under a political system that had been failing for 40 years.
Labour Anxiety Over Makerfield
The intervention comes amid rising anxiety in Labour ranks over the potential loss of the Makerfield by-election, likely scheduled for June 18, to Reform UK. Outgoing MP Josh Simons formally stepped down on Monday, taking the traditional post of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds. Even Burnham's supporters concede his chances of success may be no better than 50-50, with polls consistently showing Nigel Farage's party on track to win.
Burnham's allies hit back after leadership contender Wes Streeting voiced support for rejoining the EU, highlighting Burnham's own strong views on reversing Brexit—seen as unhelpful as he battles Reform in the Eurosceptic seat. Victory would serve as a springboard for Burnham to succeed Keir Starmer.
Starmer Pledges Support
Sir Keir Starmer visited Labour HQ on Monday to thank staff, insisting he would 'get on with the job' and pledging full support for the candidate fighting Reform in the by-election. Deputy PM David Lammy acknowledged that 'internecine warfare' following disastrous local elections was a 'spectacular own goal'. 'Some colleagues are lighting the match and standing in the petrol,' he warned, hinting that a general election could be inevitable without party unity. However, Lammy refused five times to state his personal position on rejoining the EU.
Internal Criticism
Backbencher Jonathan Hinder called the push to reverse Brexit a 'staggering level of out of touch'. One despairing minister told the Daily Mail: 'Day one has gone well but it'll be downhill from here on in.' Another senior Labour source said the complaint amounted to 'Wes is doing politics and I'm upset about it'. 'Welcome to Westminster, Andy. It's not all free money and buses with bees on,' they added. A former minister described Burnham as having 'the political sense of a gnat'.
Leadership Uncertainty
Despite the race to replace him being in full swing, Starmer is not expected to concede he will have to quit or set a timetable. Instead, he will wait to see whether Burnham can return to the Commons. In other developments: Lord Gove, a Brexit architect, wrote in the Daily Mail that any move to rejoin the EU would be a 'betrayal'; Lammy suggested Starmer would consider stepping down if a leadership challenger secures 81 nominations from MPs; Angela Rayner reportedly turned down an offer to become Health Secretary after Streeting quit; Reform could announce a local plumber as its candidate as soon as Monday; there is speculation the Tories might avoid Makerfield to maximise Burnham's chances of defeat; the next batch of Mandelson documents will not be released this week, appearing at the beginning of next month as the by-election campaign reaches its peak.
Campaigning and Reactions
Burnham was campaigning in Makerfield with Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell on Sunday. Streeting, who dramatically quit as Health Secretary last week, signalled his desire for Britain to return to the EU in a speech on Saturday. Attempting to rally the party, Lammy told Sky News: 'This is a Labour by-election. We've got quite threatened votes, Reform will be challenging hard.' He added that he has known Burnham for over 25 years and pledged full support. Lammy warned that if Labour continues its infighting, a general election might become unavoidable. 'This is not a sixth form debate, it is delivery on behalf of the British people,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Nigel Farage branded Burnham 'open borders Burnham', telling the Mail: 'It's obvious Andy Burnham wants to say one thing to Labour voters in Makerfield while telling Labour MPs something entirely different as he positions himself for power.' Hinder, MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, said: 'We are just over a week after we took a real beating in our working-class heartlands... And to suggest the solution now is for us to reopen that debate is just staggering.'
Starmer's Response
On a visit to Labour HQ, Starmer told staff: 'I am focused on the job that I was asked to do... We now have an important by-election coming up. It is Labour versus Reform. Whoever the candidate is, I am going to support them 100 per cent.' Downing Street declined to repeat Starmer's earlier claim that he would fight any challenge to his position. Kemi Badenoch said renegotiating Brexit would be a 'disaster', while Lord Gove warned that rejoining would be a 'betrayal of the democratic vote'.
