Burnham warns UK is heading for ‘poisonous’ politics of US under Starmer leadership
Andy Burnham has warned that Britain is heading towards the “toxic” policies seen in the US under the current Labor leadership.
The Mayor of Manchester, who has been an open critic of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, made the comments in his campaign speech and complained that discourse was increasingly polarized and “communities are no longer working together”.
Mr Burnham, who has ambitions of returning to Westminster and will stand in next week’s by-election in Makerfield, asked the audience: “Does anyone here think we can continue on the path we’re on as a country? That doesn’t sound doable, does it?”
“It doesn’t feel like we’re heading in the right direction. It doesn’t feel like we’re heading toward better lives for people.”
“Things are getting harder, politics is getting more polarized, and the path we’re on, if we’re not careful, is a path toward United States politics—polarized, toxic politics where people in communities no longer work together.”
His remarks follow recent comments in which he said he would not be “dithering” about dropping the welfare bill to help fund defense spending.
This stance follows the resignations of defense secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns over the delayed defense investment plan. It has been a testing week for Starmer, but the prime minister remains defiant and insists his defense funding scheme is enough to keep Britain safe.
But Burnham, who has been Mayor of Manchester since 2017, suggested the “world has changed” and it was “clear” the government needed to adjust its defense spending assumptions.
The Makerfield by-election is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, and Burnham is expected to face a challenge from Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.
A by-election was called last month after Josh Simons resigned to pave the way for Burnham to return to Westminster.
If Burnham wins, she will return to Westminster and could challenge Starmer for the Labor Party leadership following his criticism of the prime minister just days before the crucial by-election.
