Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has acknowledged that voters have abandoned Labour in areas like Makerfield because they are "not hearing enough" anger from Keir Starmer's government about the nation's challenges. Speaking ahead of the crucial by-election, the Wigan MP and ally of Labour candidate Andy Burnham admitted that many local supporters are backing the party solely due to the Greater Manchester mayor's presence on the ballot.
Burnham's Leadership Challenge
Mr Burnham is expected to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he secures victory this week, following a significant decline in popularity that saw the party lose numerous town halls to Reform UK in the May local elections. In Labour-controlled Wigan, Nigel Farage's party won 24 out of 25 contested seats.
Speaking on The Northern Agenda podcast, the Culture Secretary defended the government's record but acknowledged that Labour has only had two years to address decades of challenges, including deindustrialisation, in towns like those in her constituency. In a recent speech in Leeds, Mr Burnham criticised the government's performance, stating that Britain has been on a "wrong path for 40 years," which has harmed northern communities.
Economic Decline and Community Impact
Ms Nandy highlighted the economic struggles faced by these areas: "Last time we were in government, we invested heavily in places like Wigan, Ashton, and Winstanley, but the problem was that most good jobs were either offshored or concentrated in major cities. When spending power is removed from communities, and working-age people must leave to get ahead, the high street suffers. People lack the money to sustain local businesses. Buses are cancelled because commuter numbers dwindle. Older people live hundreds of miles from their families, feeling they worked hard for something better."
She added: "Andy and I both feel this. The government has tried to change things, but people aren't feeling it. They aren't hearing enough anger from us about the current situation. We can be more ambitious for the North of England."
Call for Greater Ambition
The Labour Cabinet Minister emphasised that for many, "life has been incredibly hard for a long time. They need to feel the change, but they also need more from us as a government about why that change is necessary, long overdue, and owed. They need us to wear our hearts on our sleeves and shout loudly on their behalf. They need to know we will challenge any system that hinders better lives, opportunities, high streets, communities, and chances for young people to stay and contribute rather than leave to get ahead."
When asked if Labour could win the next general election without Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, she noted that voters in her area "don't like being told what to do or what we think here. So I won't prejudge the next election outcome, whether it's Keir or someone else leading us."
She added: "I think people are fair but angry with Labour at the moment. That gives me hope because they're not disinterested. They want us to do better and to see and feel more from us about the change we promised."
By-Election Context
Mr Burnham is the favourite to win the Makerfield by-election, according to multiple polls. His closest rival is Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, though the party fears losing votes to Restore Britain, which takes a harder line on migration and other issues. The full list of candidates for the June 18 by-election includes Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats), Count Binface (Count Binface Party), Andy Burnham (Labour and Co-operative Party), Dan Clarke (Libertarian Party), John Dyer (Independent), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Paul Gould (Independent), Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party), Robert Kenyon (Reform UK), Robert Pownall (Independent), Rebecca Shepherd (Restore Britain), Sarah Wakefield (Green Party), Peter Ward (Rejoin EU), and Michael Winstanley (Conservative Party).
