Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, addressed a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference, emphasizing the need for the party to acknowledge potential electoral “peril.” He highlighted current opinion polls indicating Labour is trailing Reform, which could result in losses during the Welsh Senedd and local elections scheduled for May next year.
Burnham advocated for an open debate on Labour’s future direction and the development of a clear strategy to counter Reform. He expressed concerns about the party’s approach, cautioning against it being “narrow and shallow,” and referenced a “climate of fear.” He stressed the importance of a narrative that “connects more with people” rather than relying on “simplistic statements of loyalty.”
His remarks, which included questioning the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, elicited varied reactions from Labour Members of Parliament. While some considered his comments to be excessive, others acknowledged the challenging electoral landscape depicted by current polling data. Burnham has not ruled out the possibility of a future leadership bid.
Source: www.bbc.com