Andy Burnham has drawn battle lines for the future of the Labour Party, vowing to 'change Labour' and win back lost voters. The Greater Manchester mayor, expected to be Labour's candidate in the Makerfield byelection, said his campaign would focus on national issues where Labour is failing, in a direct challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Burnham stated: '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 pledged to use the byelection to show how to 'lift up its people and places' and make basics like rents, bills and fares more affordable.
Allies said Burnham would rule out any imminent return to the EU and recommit to fiscal rules on borrowing and debt. He said: 'My view is that Brexit has been damaging, but I also believe the last thing we should do right now is rerun those arguments,' a direct challenge to leadership rival Wes Streeting, who has called for rejoining.
Starmer, however, insisted he would fight the next election and not step aside. 'I’m not going to walk away. I feel very strongly that I must serve the people who voted me into office,' he said. The byelection, expected to be confirmed on Tuesday, will see Labour face a bitter fight with Reform UK, which has already released attack ads.
Burnham apologised for the 'circus' of the campaign but said it was good that places 'long forgotten by national politics' were now at the centre of national debate. The seat became vacant after Josh Simons resigned to allow Burnham to stand.
