Supporters accuse Wes Streeting of undermining Andy Burnham’s campaign
Andy Burnham’s supporters have accused Wes Streeting of trying to derail him in leave-voting Makerfield by reopening old wounds over Brexit, reports BritPanorama.
Burnham’s team has claimed that Streeting’s calls for the UK to rejoin the EU will only aid Reform UK, as Nigel Farage has vowed to prioritise Europe as a key issue in the upcoming campaign.
Just days after resigning as health secretary, Streeting stated, “Britain’s future lies with Europe, and one day back in the European Union.” He described Brexit as a “catastrophic mistake,” leading many of Burnham’s allies to assert that this comment was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the Makerfield by-election.
In 2016, 65 per cent of voters in Makerfield opted to leave the EU, a sentiment that remains strong as Labour prevailed over Reform UK by a narrow margin of 5,000 votes in 2024. Allies of Burnham have expressed concerns that Streeting is strategically focusing on Brexit to sabotage Burnham’s efforts to reclaim a seat in Westminster.
Burnham has publicly stated he will not campaign on the Brexit issue in Makerfield, contrasting with Farage, who has pledged to place it front and centre. The Reform leader has articulated that voters in the constituency must choose between remaining outside the EU or rejoining with “open borders Burnham.”
Labour MP for Crewe & Nantwich, Connor Naismith, endorsed Burnham’s position, calling it essential for Britain to prioritise domestic issues rather than reviving debates about Europe. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has campaigned alongside Burnham, echoed this sentiment, warning that Labour should avoid “reopening the Brexit wars.”
A senior government source remarked that Streeting’s comments give Farage a significant opportunity, describing the former health secretary’s actions as “desperation and selfishness.” Another source suggested that Streeting is attempting to create a “dividing line” in recognition of the brewing challenge ahead.
In a comment to The Times, one cabinet minister noted that the internal conflict positions Sir Keir Starmer as an “island of stability and sanity.” Starmer is reportedly contemplating whether to announce a timetable for his resignation now or wait until after the contentious by-election next month.
Downing Street sources indicated that if Burnham wins the Makerfield seat, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would face pressure to resign. Conversely, should Burnham lose to Reform UK, Starmer might have an opportunity to defeat Streeting in a future leadership contest.
Angela Rayner has also been approached regarding the possibility of taking over Streeting’s role as Health Secretary but has declined the position. During the elections on May 7, Reform faced Labour in a closely contested fight, winning all eight wards within the constituency with an average of 50 per cent of the vote compared to Labour’s 22.7 per cent.
The prior general election in 2024 showcased a narrow split, with only 5,000 votes separating Labour from Reform, emphasising the challenge Burnham faces. Survation’s analysis predicts Burnham would carry 45 per cent of the vote against Reform’s 43 per cent if he were the candidate in Greater Manchester.
Nevertheless, another Labour candidate might only secure 27 per cent of votes compared to 53 per cent for Reform, reflecting the shifting dynamics in Makerfield, where many constituents have expressed resistance to being viewed merely as a “stepping stone” for Burnham’s ambitions towards leadership.
As electoral tensions rise in Makerfield, the implications of internal party dynamics alongside public sentiment on Brexit will play a significant role in shaping the political landscape ahead.
This situation underscores the complexities inherent in the UK’s current political milieu, particularly as factions navigate the repercussions of Brexit while attempting to maintain electoral viability amidst shifting public opinions.
