Andy Burnham has sparked anger among Labour MPs after agreeing to speak at a progressive rally alongside prominent Green and Liberal Democrat figures. The Greater Manchester mayor, seen as a potential challenger to Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, will appear at the Change:Now event organised by the leftwing group Compass later this month.
Other Labour MPs speaking at the event include Clive Lewis and Miatta Fahnbulleh, alongside former Green leader Caroline Lucas, former Lib Dem cabinet minister Vince Cable, and others. The event aims to promote cross-party progressive collaboration, a stance Burnham has long advocated. However, its timing, weeks after local elections where Labour faced the Greens in many areas, has infuriated some colleagues.
Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham and a Starmer supporter, said Labour members should reconsider working with the Greens given recent antisemitism controversies. Two Green candidates in London were arrested for alleged antisemitic posts, and the party is investigating others. Akehurst said: 'Anyone in the Labour party who has been advancing the concept of a progressive alliance involving the Greens should surely be reconsidering this at the moment.'
Another Labour MP criticised Burnham, saying: 'Activists and candidates around the country are fighting for Labour seats on councils; now is not the time to talk about coalitions.' Burnham did not comment, but an ally dismissed the criticism, arguing he is advancing progressive ideas to help Labour.
Compass founder Neal Lawson defended the event, stating: 'In a multi-party reality, facing huge complex issues, progressives are going to have to work together on ideas to defeat Reform and the causes of Reform.' The event on 30 May in east London will bring together thinktanks, politicians, and academics for debate across party lines.
Burnham has championed Compass ideas including proportional representation and cross-party collaboration. Some on the left see this as a rational response to the splintering leftwing vote, with the Greens doubling their poll rating since early 2024. Others believe Labour should confront the Green threat directly, challenging them on issues like antisemitism. Attention on Burnham is expected to intensify after this week's elections, as he is seen as one of three likely challengers to Starmer, alongside Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting.
