Burnham Calls for Tougher Action on Illegal Migration
Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester Mayor and newly elected Makerfield MP, has called on the government to intensify efforts to curb illegal migration. Speaking ahead of a potential bid for the Labour Party leadership—and by extension the premiership—Burnham argued that while small boat crossings have dropped 40 percent year-on-year, more decisive measures are needed to restore public trust.
The Only Candidate So Far
Burnham is currently the only MP to have publicly declared an intention to stand for the Labour leadership, following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister last month. The resignation came after Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election, triggering a contest to replace Starmer. Nomination requirements stipulate that candidates must secure support from 20 percent of Labour MPs between July 9 and 15.
Immigration as a Key Issue
During his by-election campaign, Burnham acknowledged that immigration was a major concern for voters. He told the BBC that the UK "isn't functioning properly" and that the small boats issue "completely speaks to that." He emphasised the need for greater use of detention to prevent those without valid asylum claims from entering the country, and called for speedier returns of rejected applicants.
Burnham stated: "We need to make greater use of detention so that people who have got no basis for a claim are not actually admitted into the country. So that’s dealt with quickly and there’s a speedier return." He added that the issue is eroding trust in politics and must be "gripped and gripped properly."
Reform of Asylum Dispersal
The potential future leader also criticised the current system for housing asylum seekers, arguing that deprived areas bear a disproportionate burden. Burnham, who served as immigration minister under Tony Blair, said: "I have long argued it is not right that the Home Office just goes to the areas where housing is lower cost and overly uses those areas when it comes to asylum dispersal." He called for all regions to share responsibility and for local authorities to be properly consulted, rather than being sidelined by Home Office decisions.
Burnham proposed reforming Home Office contracts and echoed sentiments expressed by Nigel Farage about restoring order. He said: "What we’ve got to do is get back to a sense of order. There should be safe routes for people. What people don’t want to see is the chaos of the small boat crossings. I think the government is getting some order back into the system but there is definitely more to be done."
Background and Context
Burnham's comments come as the Labour Party prepares for a leadership election, with the winner set to become prime minister. His stance on immigration is likely to be a defining issue in the contest, as the party seeks to balance firm border control with humanitarian obligations. Burnham's experience as a former immigration minister and his recent by-election campaign have positioned him as a candidate focused on pragmatic reform.
