Burnham says 'radical change' is needed to save Labour

‘ANCHESTER Mayor Andy Burnham has called for a “wholesale change” to see off an “existential” threat to Labour, in comments likely to be seen as a pitch fora future leadership bid.

- SOPHIE WINGATE

He criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s approach, saying the “challenge we've got in front of us cannot be met by a very factional and quite divisive running of the Labour Party’.

Mr Burnham set out his vision for a “plan to turn the country around” in an interview for the New Statesman which could fuel speculation that he could seek a return to Westminster to unseat the Prime Minister.

Sir Keir has had a bruising few weeks in which two high-profile departures from government and persistent lag behind Reform in the polls sparked questions about his leadership.

Mr Burnham insisted he is not plotting an immediate return to the Commons or wanting to step on the UK Government's toes as it seeks a reset at the Labour Party conference.

But the senior Labour politician told the news magazine that the gathering in Liverpool starting on Sunday must answer the question: “Where is our plan to turn the country around?”