Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next prime minister, plans to undertake a summer tour targeting Labour 'danger zones' across the UK where the party has lost support, particularly in areas affected by controversial government policies. The tour is scheduled for the second half of the summer recess and aims to reset Labour's relationship with sceptical voters.
Hopeful Tone Contrasts with Starmer's Early Approach
Insiders say the tone will be upbeat and hopeful, deliberately contrasting with Keir Starmer's early days in office, which focused heavily on Conservative failures. Burnham will emphasise that Labour and the government need to change, rather than blaming other parties or external forces. 'His pitch will be about resetting the relationship with the voters, a more hopeful message that people seem to be receptive to,' one source said.
Key Destinations: Aberdeen, Port Talbot, and Reform-Leaning Areas
Among the places Burnham is expected to visit is Aberdeen, where Labour's North Sea oil and gas policy has been deeply unpopular, and Port Talbot in Wales, a steelmaking town whose final blast furnace was shut down in September 2024. Labour later saved steelmaking jobs in Scunthorpe by nationalising British Steel. Burnham will also visit Reform-facing parts of the UK described by allies as 'left behind' by Westminster, including deprived and remote parts of southern England, towns affected by economic turbulence, and rural constituencies where farmers are angered by Labour's tax policies.
Strategic Shift from Starmer's Mistakes
Burnham's strategists aim to start his premiership in the opposite tenor to Starmer's first few months. Starmer's early speech emphasised 'painful' years ahead and slow living standards growth. The summer of 2024 was dominated by fallout from Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to cut the winter fuel allowance and a donations scandal involving clothing for Starmer funded by donor Waheed Alli. Strategists believe another mistake was Starmer and Reeves attacking Conservatives over a '£22bn black hole' when voters were tired of political blame. 'Andy intends to completely change this,' a source said. 'You will not hear him blaming any other parties... He will say it is Labour that will be the change.'
Focus on Regional Inequality and London Concerns
Burnham, who has long highlighted the north-south divide, has been urged by MPs and mayors to spend time in southern England, London, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. London MPs are particularly nervous about his rhetoric and its implications for the capital, as Burnham routinely highlighted inequality in transport and infrastructure investment. He intends to spend most of August away from London.
Appeal from Makerfield Victory and Need to 'Dominate the Summer'
Burnham's emphatic victory over Reform in the Makerfield by-election, which united progressive voters against Nigel Farage's party, is a key reason for his appeal to MPs. However, London MPs face threats from Green and independent challengers and have appealed to Burnham to show understanding of their challenges. Key allies say he needs to 'dominate the summer' much like Farage did last August, when Reform organised press conferences and stunts while the government did little. One senior MP expected in Burnham's cabinet said this reasoning drove the decision not to contest the Clacton by-election, which Farage will fight in early August, to take oxygen away from Reform. 'We need to get out to the country, all guns blazing, real positivity and lots of big announcements focused on hope,' a source said. 'A new prime minister needs to be the main story the country is hearing about, not Nigel Farage.'
