Labour's Andy Burnham has declared that Britain has reached a "dangerous place" where ordinary people can no longer afford a decent standard of living. In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester, the Greater Manchester mayor and by-election candidate argued that the country has been "on the wrong path for 40 years" and that fundamental change is needed to restore faith in politics.
Burnham, who is standing in the upcoming Makerfield by-election on 18 June, stated that he has no intention of stepping away from his mayoral role permanently but feels compelled to act. "Politics in this country is at a moment where we either change it or it really becomes quite, quite broken and people lose faith completely," he said.
When questioned about his stance on the European Union, Burnham was candid. "Ten years on, I'm going to be really blunt; I don't think Brexit has improved things. The economy is smaller and we have weaker control of immigration. That is my view." However, he stressed that he does not advocate for re-joining the bloc, instead urging a "relentless" focus on domestic issues over the next five to ten years. "Let's get this country functioning again, let's get the basics right for people," he said.
The mayor also expressed deep frustration over the scaling back of the HS2 rail project, calling it "a classic example of Whitehall trying to run things from 200 miles away... dictating to us [and] getting it so drastically wrong." He suggested that if he were prime minister, he would prioritize local, ground-up approaches and consider an underground station at Manchester Piccadilly to boost economic development and help fund infrastructure.
On anti-social behaviour in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Burnham acknowledged the problem and said he would campaign for a youth zone if elected. He declined to confirm whether he would resign as mayor if he loses the by-election, stating, "I'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Burnham's return to Westminster politics has sparked speculation that he may challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if successful in the by-election. The Makerfield seat has been a safe Labour stronghold for decades, and six parties have so far announced candidates.