Labour on the Brink: Burnham Sounds Alarm at Conference

In a provocative address at the Labour Party conference, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, doubled down on his criticisms of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, emphasizing the precarious state of the party as it approaches upcoming elections. He expressed concern about the party being in “peril”, particularly as recent opinion polls show Labour trailing behind Reform, indicating possible losses in key elections in Wales and local councils in May. At a meeting with the Re:State think tank, Burnham acknowledged the necessity for a coherent strategy to defeat Reform, stressing the importance of connecting with voters and recognizing serious challenges faced by the party.

He lamented a prevalent “climate of fear” within Labour, pointing out instances where members faced severe repercussions for merely expressing dissent—like being suspended for liking tweets from other parties or MPs losing the whip for protecting essential benefits. Burnham insisted on the need for open debate during the conference, pushing for honest discussions about the challenges ahead.

Despite some party members feeling that Burnham’s remarks were too critical, many agree that the dire polling situation cannot be ignored. In the backdrop, Heath Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized listening to MPs and suggested that greater humility could have helped avoid past mistakes. However, some former leaders criticized Burnham’s approach, like Alan Johnson, who advised him to publicly affirm his support for the elected leadership to quell speculation about a potential leadership bid.

Sir Keir Starmer sought to brush off the discontent by reaffirming his mandate for the next five years, stating that discussions regarding leadership are a routine part of political life, especially during conference seasons. Overall, Burnham’s comments highlight underlying tensions within the party and the urgent need for a revived strategy as Labour heads into what could be a definitive electoral season.