Don't underestimate peril for Labour, says Burnham

At a fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference, Andy Burnham has warned against

underestimating the peril the party is in. At the Liverpool conference, Greater Manchester Mayor Ed Milir Starmer's leadership was reiterated, and the audience told him he would not shy away from discussion of Labour's future. Burnham said Labour should not be

narrow and shallow" amid backlash from MPs, and that a climate of fear exists. In the opinion polls, Labour is trailing Reform, implying that there will be losses in the Welsh Senedd and local elections next year.

The Prime Minister will frame some of the party's dividing lines with Reform much of this week's conference. Burnham said he was clear that he wanted to start a discussion about direction and getting a plan to defeat Reform at a fringe meeting for the Re:State think tank. Many councillors, MSPs, and members of the Senedd were right in front of their eyes, he said, with upcoming elections set in May 2026.

I do think we need a story for this government that engages more with people,

he said.

I don't think we should be able to attend this conference and not be unable to discuss some of the party's biggest issues.

I would say those out there calling for simple statements of loyalty are underestimating some of the danger that the party faces in the forthcoming national elections next year. Burnham blasted the Labour leadership's handling of opposition at a separate fringe event, saying that party members were

suspended for supporting a tweet by another political party

a Member of Parliament loses the whip for attempting to safeguard disability benefits.

One thing I am worried about, and I suspect we should discuss at this conference is how can you have an open debate about all of these topics if there is so much fear within our party and the way the party is being carried out. He also stated that he wanted to support the government and that the prime minister should succeed. Many Labour MPs believe Burnham has gone too far in the last few days, although many acknowledge that opinion polls point to a bleak future for Labour and the prime minister. However, those who hoped Burnham would rule out a future leadership bid have been dissatisfied so far. Labour would have avoided some of the mistakes of the previous year if we'd listened to our MPs,

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said at another conference function.

We've got to have the confidence to listen,

Streeting said. Burnham was also on the BBC's Westminster Hour, saying,

We need all our star players on the pitch.

We want everybody to be involved and supporting Keir,

the captain said, not undermining the captain.

Earlier this week, Alan Johnson, who served as a cabinet minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, dismissed Burnham's remarks on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Defining how, as he was advised by colleagues to run against Gordon Brown as prime minister in 2009, he gave

a little bit of advice for Andy.

Do what I did, go and find a television camera, stand in front of it, and say, 'I have no intention of standing against the country's elected leader. Sir Keir tried to debunk the rumors surrounding his leadership, claiming he had a five-year mandate.

Comments about leaders and leadership are part of being in politics,he said.Every leader gets it, especially at a conference; it's always out there, especially because it''s in the job description.

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