Speaking at a Resolution Foundation event in London, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham praised the soft-left policy direction Starmer will be forced to take following the No10 implosion. Sets the ground nicely for Burnham’s pitch…
The King of the North said the focus should be “lowering the cost of life’s essentials“:
“To do that requires stability and I make my own call for that today across the Labour Party. Of course, stability comes from greater unity and that would be helped by a more inclusive way of running the party. But recent events makes that now feel possible and from greater stability and unity.”
He added on the recent drama:
“We need to get a sense of a stronger team again than there has been in recent times. That I think is what needs to come from this. We need to sort of dial down all of this constant briefing… The issue in politics right in front of us, the politics of collectivism versus the politics of division. It’s that stark. And you’ve got to focus on stopping that now… Everything else is noise in the background.”
Asked outside if Starmer has his full support, Andy Burnham said “yes he does.” Those messages of support last about a week before they expire by the way – those are just the rules…
Speaking about Morgan McSweeney’s resignation, skills minister Jacqui Smith told Times Radio:
“It’s clearly not ideal but I do understand why Morgan, as he explained, decided to resign at this point. But the important thing as you say is how we both tackle what this Epstein and Mandelson scandal has identified and also how we make sure, as the prime minister is absolutely determined to, that we continue the change that the country needs and that’s what I’m focusing on this morning.”