Labour’s not having the best week — and Andy Burnham knows exactly why. With Nigel Farage’s Reform UK making serious inroads at the local elections, the Greater Manchester Mayor says it’s time for Labour to talk straight about Brexit.
🚨 Reform UK racks up big wins
Reform UK stormed the local elections, grabbing council seats across the country and even snatching several mayoralties. Their momentum continued in Runcorn, where they edged out a win in the by-election by just six votes after a nail-biting recount.
Despite the earlier suspension of MP Rupert Lowe, Reform is now back to five MPs — and clearly back in the game.
And while the Tories are having a nightmare, Labour’s not immune. Reform is hoovering up disillusioned voters from both parties — and that’s what’s keeping Burnham up at night.
🚂 Burnham pitches big plans for the North
The Manchester Mayor hasn’t just been sitting around wringing his hands. He’s also unveiled his £100bn vision to connect cities across the North — from Liverpool to Leeds — with massive infrastructure upgrades.
But politics has a funny way of pulling you back into the mess.
🎙️ ‘We must talk about Brexit’
Before the local elections wrapped, Channel 4 caught up with Burnham. When pressed about Labour’s struggles to hold onto voters, especially in areas leaning Reform, Burnham didn’t dodge the issue.
“Let me say something about this situation. The biggest rupture in all of that – is Brexit,” he said.
“I think partly, what Labour now needs to do, is talk more about Brexit, and how it has damaged this country’s prospects.”
He wasn’t done.
“Let’s say over the last decade, it feels like things have become broken. Don’t forget, I left Westminster because I was frustrated with politics as usual down there. I came out to say, look, something fundamentally different is needed.”
Burnham’s message is clear: stop tiptoeing around Brexit. Face it. Fix it. And don’t let Farage claim the working-class vote by default.
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