Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has firmly stated that he will not “re-run” the arguments surrounding Brexit, distancing himself from any proposals to rejoin the European Union. This declaration comes in light of his anticipated challenge to Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party, pending the outcome of the Makerfield by-election. Burnham acknowledged that while Brexit has had detrimental effects, perpetuating debates over it would only hinder progress.
A Clear Stance on Brexit
In a speech delivered at a conference in Leeds, Burnham reiterated his belief that Brexit has been “damaging” for the UK. However, he stressed the importance of moving forward rather than revisiting past disputes. “I am not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU,” Burnham said. “I respect the decision made at the referendum, and it would undermine my commitment to democracy to disregard that vote.”
His comments come amid rising tensions within the Labour Party regarding its stance on Brexit. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the decision to leave the EU as a “catastrophic mistake” and suggested that the UK should eventually seek to rejoin. This divergence of opinion could complicate the dynamics of any leadership contest.
The Road to Makerfield
To secure a leadership bid, Burnham must first win the Makerfield by-election, a constituency that voted decisively for Brexit in 2016. He has been nominated to stand as Labour’s candidate following the resignation of current MP Josh Simons, but he must still gain the approval of the local party.
The Makerfield constituency, which Labour held with a majority of 5,399 votes in the 2024 elections, is a focal point for the party’s future strategy. Reform UK, under Nigel Farage, is expected to mount a vigorous challenge, having garnered around 50% of the local vote share in the recent local elections, although precise figures remain elusive due to boundary discrepancies.
Shifting Focus to Local Governance
Beyond Brexit, Burnham is advocating for a significant shift in Labour’s approach to governance. He called for the redistribution of resources from a “bloated national state” to local authorities that have been starved of funding. “We have hollowed out councils and created an unaccountable state,” he asserted, highlighting the need for a “serious rewiring” of how public services are delivered.
Burnham’s vision for Labour aims to restore trust among voters, which he believes has eroded over time. “A vote for me would be a vote to change Labour,” he emphasised, underscoring the necessity for the party to evolve to regain public confidence.
Leadership Contest Dynamics
As discussions surrounding the leadership race intensify, Sir Keir Starmer has remained non-committal about his future, stating he will not set a timetable for stepping down if Burnham wins the by-election. Starmer reiterated his commitment to leading the party into the next general election while acknowledging the need for change following disappointing results in recent local elections.
The political landscape is becoming increasingly complex for Labour, with internal divisions on key issues like Brexit and governance strategies posing potential challenges for the party’s unity.
Why it Matters
The outcomes of the Makerfield by-election and subsequent leadership dynamics will have far-reaching implications for the Labour Party’s direction. As Burnham seeks to redefine the party’s identity away from divisive Brexit debates, the challenge will be to unite differing factions within Labour while addressing pressing local governance issues. How this unfolds will shape not only Labour’s future but also the wider political landscape in the UK, as the electorate grapples with the consequences of past decisions and the path ahead.
