Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has ignited controversy within the Labour Party following his announcement to speak at a progressive rally later this month. The event, organised by the left-leaning group Compass, aims to foster collaboration among progressive parties but has drawn sharp criticism from some Labour MPs who believe it undermines their local election messaging.
Local Election Tensions
Burnham is set to participate in the Change:Now event on 30 May, where he will be joined by influential figures from the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats. This decision has sparked outrage among certain Labour representatives, who argue that engaging with rival parties so soon after local elections—where Labour is competing directly against the Greens in various constituencies—could weaken their campaign strategies.
Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham and a supporter of Keir Starmer, expressed his concerns, highlighting the recent antisemitism controversies faced by the Green Party. He stated that Labour members should reconsider their association with the Greens, especially in light of allegations surrounding antisemitic social media posts made by two Green candidates in London.
A Divided Party
Criticism of Burnham’s planned appearance has not been limited to Akehurst. Another Labour MP lamented that activists across the country are striving to secure Labour seats; thus, discussions regarding coalitions with other parties are ill-timed. This MP referred to Burnham’s previous willingness to collaborate with Jeremy Corbyn’s faction as a misstep, arguing that allying with a party currently under scrutiny for antisemitism is unacceptable.
In response to the backlash, Burnham has remained silent, although an ally defended his decision, asserting that the Mayor is not endorsing other parties but instead is championing progressive ideas to benefit Labour. The ally added, “Do people not want anyone sharing ideas or having a debate about where progressives should go?”
The Vision for Progressivism
Neal Lawson, the founder of Compass, has come to Burnham’s defence, contending that the event represents an essential platform for progressive discourse. He argued that in a complex political landscape, collaboration among progressives is vital to counteract the rise of parties like Reform UK. Lawson emphasised the need for a collective approach to address pressing national issues and to rejuvenate public interest in politics.
The Change:Now event aims to be a forum for debate among politicians, academics, and think tanks. With Burnham being a vocal advocate for several of Compass’s initiatives, including proportional representation and cross-party collaboration, some on the left view his participation as a necessary evolution in response to the fragmentation of the progressive vote.
The Road Ahead for Burnham
As Burnham prepares for the rally, all eyes will be on him in the aftermath of the local elections. He is considered one of the prominent figures likely to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership, alongside Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting. However, unlike his fellow contenders, Burnham must first secure a seat in Westminster—a challenge he faced earlier this year when Labour’s national executive committee prevented him from standing in Gorton and Denton.
The upcoming event and its reception within the party will undoubtedly shape Burnham’s trajectory as he seeks to position himself as a leader capable of uniting the left.
Why it Matters
Burnham’s decision to engage with rival parties raises critical questions about the Labour Party’s identity and strategy in a rapidly changing political landscape. As progressive factions seek to collaborate, the implications of such partnerships—especially in light of recent controversies—could redefine Labour’s approach to the upcoming elections and its ability to unite its base. The tension surrounding Burnham’s involvement at the Change:Now rally encapsulates the broader struggle within Labour to reconcile its ambitious vision with the realities of political competition.