Burnham’s call for an open debate
Andy Burnham used a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference to press for a candid and constructive debate about Labour’s direction. He said he wanted to launch a debate about direction and getting a plan to beat Reform, arguing that the party cannot afford to be “narrow and shallow” or to operate in a “climate of fear.”
Speaking at a fringe event for the Re:State think tank in Liverpool, the Manchester mayor warned that Labour must confront serious electoral challenges ahead. He warned that MPs, councillors and MSPs facing elections in May 2026 should not pretend the risks are distant, saying the peril is “in front of their eyes.”
The political context
Burnham’s remarks come as Labour trails Reform UK in opinion polls, with tensions within the party about leadership and strategy intensifying ahead of local and devolved elections in May next year. The Prime Minister is expected to use this week’s conference to articulate dividing lines with Reform, while Labour figures debate how best to respond to a shifting political landscape.
What Burnham is proposing
In his remarks, Burnham urged Labour to articulate a credible alternative narrative — one that connects more effectively with voters. I would say those out there making calls for simplistic statements of loyalty are underestimating some of the peril the party is in in those elections next year,
” he said, stressing the need for a plan that goes beyond slogans.
“I don’t think we can be at this conference and not talk honestly about some of the challenges that the party is facing.
” Burnham added, insisting that a forward-looking agenda is essential if Labour is to compete with Reform and win back trust in communities across the country.
Reactions inside Labour
Reaction among Labour MPs has been mixed. Some colleagues view Burnham’s comments as a welcome push for accountability and strategic clarity; others worry that the dissent could undermine a party navigating a difficult electoral cycle. The row echoes a broader debate that has flared in recent days about leadership and direction, particularly as the party seeks to balance unity with constructive internal critique.
Earlier in the week, long-serving Labour figures weighed in. Alan Johnson, a former cabinet minister, suggested that leadership controversies are part and parcel of politics, reflecting a wider media and public appetite for leadership talk at conference. He reminded listeners that political dynamics are fluid and that parties must earn public trust through policy and performance, not optics alone.
Implications for the road ahead
Burnham’s call for a frank, debate-driven approach arrives at a moment when Labour’s electoral prospects appear precarious. With local elections looming next May and confidence in the party’s performance fluctuating, the leadership faces pressure to articulate a positive, coherent plan that resonates with voters who have drifted toward Reform UK in some regions.
Keir Starmer, for his part, has sought to project stability, insisting he retains a mandate for a five-year term. In the broader conference discourse, Labour hopes to outline sharper contrasts with Reform while avoiding internal rifts that could distract from campaigning and policy development.
Bottom line
As Labour contends with a tough polling landscape, Burnham’s appeal for open debate signals a broader question: can the party reconcile internal scrutiny with a unified electoral strategy that demonstrates both accountability and a compelling alternative to Reform UK? The coming days of the conference may prove pivotal in shaping Labour’s response to those challenges and its readiness for May’s elections.
