Andy Burnham is "well capable" of defeating Nigel Farage and securing a majority for Labour at the next general election, Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Paul Nowak has insisted.
His intervention follows Reform UK's disastrous conference and a slump in the polls for the right-wing party after a series of scandals over donations. Mr Nowak told the Mirror: "I think the more that the public see of Nigel Farage, the less they like him."
Confidence in Burnham's chances
He added: "If you listen to Nigel Farage and Richard Tice and all the rest of them, it's like a foregone conclusion that they've got the keys to Downing Street. I don't think that that is the case. I think Andy is well capable of beating Nigel Farage at the next election."
"If it's a choice between a Prime Minister offering a vision of hope that's focused on the issues that actually matter to working people, rather than scaremongering and creating division, then I think he's absolutely got a chance of leading Labour into the next election and securing a majority."
No snap election speculation
The TUC boss also dismissed speculation of a snap general election - despite clear evidence of a 'Burnham bounce' in the national polls. He said: "I don't get the sense that the public is crying out for a general election anytime soon. I mean, that's obviously a decision to be taken by the Prime Minister."
"I think people are more focused on: 'Let's see what you can do and deliver the change that we voted for back in July 2024.' Not voting again, let's deliver the change you promised."
Recent Labour victories over Reform
But he highlighted Labour's recent victories over Mr Farage's Reform UK at the ballot box, including Mr Burnham's own Westminster comeback at June's Makerfield by-election. The following month Labour also emerged victorious at the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, with Bev Craig's decisive win in the region over Reform who had hoped for a major political upset.
Mr Nowak said: "I think what's clear is that we have seen a Burnham bounce in the polls. I'm not complacent about that."
"I am still worried about Reform and their impact on British politics. But I think the public are giving him a hearing, and he's starting to... those breathing space policies, I think, are ones that people will feel in their pockets."
