Nigel Farage has strongly criticised Andy Burnham's first speech as Labour leader, describing it as 'utterly vacuous' and accusing the new prime minister of lacking a mandate. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday, the Reform UK leader reiterated his demand for an immediate general election.
Farage Dismisses Burnham's Speech as 'Vacuous'
Farage, the former MP for Clacton who faces a by-election next month, said: 'He comes in with absolutely no mandate at all, none … I find the whole thing utterly vacuous. He is the great chameleon of great British politics, capable of being all things to all people.' The Brexit architect added that Burnham's speech focused on topics from '40 years ago' and offered no substance for the present.
Warning Over Britain's Future
Farage warned CPAC attendees that Britain is in the 'battle for the very soul of our nation,' with values 'under attack in the most astonishing and extraordinary way.' He asserted: 'We are less than a decade away from becoming a third-world country.' The Reform UK leader stated: 'Britain is broken. We have to wake up to that fact. Acknowledge the extent of the illness. And until we do that, we'll never be able to put the right cures in place.'
Criticism of Burnham's Chancellor Pick
Farage also took aim at Burnham's potential appointment of a chancellor who has never run a private business. According to reports, Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood are the top contenders for the Treasury role. Burnham assumes office with his party trailing Reform UK in opinion polls for nearly 18 months, and Labour hopes his leadership will revive its fortunes.
Clacton By-Election Context
Farage's speech coincided with the closure of candidate nominations for the Clacton by-election, scheduled for next month. Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and Restore Britain have all declined to field candidates. Farage triggered the contest by resigning as an MP after it emerged he received financial support from a longstanding ally before becoming an MP, which he failed to declare to parliamentary authorities after his election in 2024. Separately, he received a £5 million gift from a party donor before the election, which he also did not declare.
