Andy Burnham has warned that the UK is veering towards the “poisonous” politics seen in the United States under the current Labour leadership, as he campaigns for a return to Westminster in next week’s Makerfield by-election.
Speaking during a campaign speech, the Greater Manchester mayor lamented that political discourse is becoming increasingly polarised and “communities don’t work together any more”. Burnham, who has been openly critical of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, asked the audience: “Does anyone here feel that we can just stay on the path that we’re on as a country? It doesn’t feel doable, does it? It doesn’t feel that we’re heading in the right direction. It doesn’t feel like we’re heading to better lives for people. Things are getting harder, and politics is getting more polarised, and the path we’re on, if we are not careful, is a path towards the politics of the United States of America, a polarised, poisonous politics where people in communities don’t work together any more.”
“Andy Burnham warns UK headed for 'poisonous' US-style politics as he contests Makerfield by-election.”
The remarks come after a testing week for Sir Keir, following the resignations of defence secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns over a delayed defence investment plan. Burnham has indicated he would not be “squeamish” about reducing the welfare bill to help fund defence spending, asserting that “the world has changed” and it was “obvious” the government would need to adjust its defence spending assumptions. The prime minister has remained defiant, insisting his defence funding plan is sufficient to keep Britain safe.
Burnham, who has held the position as mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, is contesting the Makerfield by-election scheduled for Thursday 18 June. He is expected to face a challenge from Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon. The by-election was called last month after Josh Simons stepped down to give Burnham a path back to Westminster. Should Burnham win, he would then return to Westminster and set his sights on challenging Sir Keir for the Labour leadership.
The ghosts of Burnham’s past – both his previous tenure as an MP and his recurring criticisms of Starmer’s direction – now haunt a campaign that threatens to deepen divisions within the party.