Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has described the current debate over the party's potential leadership battle as overly focused on personality rather than policy, a trend he finds "very strange".
Corbyn criticises lack of policy discussion
Speaking to Sky News, Corbyn said: "All of the media are very focused on a debate between the personalities, and no stage does any policy debate actually come into it, which I find very strange." He was referring to the speculated contest between current leader Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Corbyn, who defeated Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership election, said he gets on well with the newly elected Makerfield MP but disagrees with his economic policies. According to Corbyn, Burnham's approach appears "to be accepting too much of the austerity that we’ve had imposed upon us and doesn’t appear to be doing anything, as I can see it, differently internationally".
Background on the leadership rivalry
The comments come amid ongoing speculation about Starmer's leadership, with Burnham often tipped as a potential challenger. Corbyn's critique highlights a persistent divide within the party over economic strategy and the direction of Labour's policy platform.
