Andy Burnham promises to ‘listen’ to left-wing backbenchers | Politics | News

Andy Burnham has told left-wing Labor MPs they will be “seen” and “heard” under his new administration.

Mr Burnham, who took no questions from opposition MPs or the Daily Express, is the only candidate left standing in the Labor Party Leadership election.

But he repeatedly refused to take questions from the Daily Express during the by-election and literally fled when approached on the doorstep about his stance on the EU.

Nearly 80 Labor MPs have written to Mr Burnham, urging him to soften Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms, amid fears the new Prime Minister will bow to left-wing elements of his party.

Labor MPs have asked the incoming Prime Minister to avoid “narrow factionalism” in his party, where MPs have previously been suspended for disagreeing with the boss.

But the former Mayor of Manchester has signaled he would take back such leadership and vowed to reverse the sacking of MP Karl Turner, who was expelled over his dispute over Labor canceling jury trials.

At a briefing for hustings seen by Daily Express Mr Burnham is understood to be promising “a culture where everyone is valued, seen and listened to”.

He is also believed to have encouraged the country to “come together” and “lead from the front on culture change, political direction and narrative.”

It is unclear what the newly appointed Prime Minister will do in many policy areas; because he has yet to comment publicly on most areas and has ignored questions from the media.

Opposition MPs called for him to extend the parliamentary session for another day so they could question him.