Burnham Slams Starmer As Labour Splits Dominate First Day Of Party Conference

Andy Burnham launched an outspoken attack on Keir Starmer’s leadership as party splits dominated the first day of Labour’s conference in Liverpool.

The Manchester mayor accused the prime minister of creating a “climate of fear” as he called for the party to change direction before crucial elections in Scotland, Wales and across England next May.

Burnham made his comments as he spoke at a series of fringe meetings at Labour’s annual gathering.

It came amid mounting speculation that he is seeking a return to Westminster so he can make a bid to oust Starmer from No.10.

He said: “I’ve been accused of all things in the last week, as you can probably see. I’ve done nothing more than launch a debate.

“And what I would say to those who say that I’m speaking out purely for my own ambition, I can say to you all tonight I am speaking out for the thousands of councillors here at this conference who are worried about going to those doorsteps next May, speaking for the members of the Senedd who, again, are working hard to keep Wales Labour, that’s what we want to do next year.

“And, of course, members of the Scottish Parliament as well, who want a stronger story about Labour to go to those doorsteps.

“I’m speaking out for the millions of good people around Britain who want a more hopeful direction for the country.

“I think we can do it. I honestly believe it can be done. We can make this government work, we can find that more hopeful direction and we can win again at the next general election.”

At an earlier fringe meeting, Burnham took aim at disciplinary action taken against Labour MPs who disagree with the leadership.

“One thing I am worried about, and I think we do need to debate at this conference in my view, is how can you have an open debate about all of those things if there’s too much of a climate of fear within our party and the way the party is being run,” he said.

He hit out at a situation where “a party member is suspended for liking a tweet by another political party, or a member of parliament loses the whip for trying to protect disability benefits”.

“If that is the way we’re doing things, where debate is being closed down, that to me is what we’ve got to change” Burnham said.

But one Labour MP told HuffPost UK that Burnham was “a wanker”, while another compared him to one of the Muppets.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Burnham should concentrate on his day job.

He said: “Andy is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I think the people of Manchester need him.”

Michael Marra, Labour’s finance spokesman at the Scottish Parliament, said: “I think he should shut up.”