Andy Burnham has dismissed allegations from Reform UK that he broke lockdown rules as a 'desperate' smear attempt ahead of the Makerfield by-election. Reform claimed it was told Burnham may have violated COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by hosting a small gathering at his home outside Manchester in the summer of 2021.
The allegations refer to an incident in June 2021 when the fire department was called to Burnham's residence. Firefighters found Burnham, his wife, two daughters, and at least two other teenagers at the property. After the fire was extinguished, the teenagers were collected. At the time, regulations permitted up to six people from two separate households to gather indoors. It remains unclear how the two additional teenagers were connected to the Burnham family. Breaching this rule carried a fine of £200.
Greater Manchester Police initially stated they were investigating the matter but later confirmed that the time limit for pursuing such allegations had expired, and no further action would be taken. Sources close to Burnham described raising this issue so close to the by-election as a 'desperate' smear campaign.
Polls opened today in Makerfield, where voters are participating in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history. Burnham, standing as Labour's candidate in the Greater Manchester constituency, aims to return to Parliament and potentially replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. He urged voters to 'vote to change politics'.
Sir Keir Starmer indicated on Wednesday that he would offer Burnham a 'big' role in his Government if Burnham wins when votes are counted on Thursday. However, Burnham's allies stated he is not interested in the offer, asserting that 'the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government's failings'. The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted he has no intention of stepping down and will fight any challenge to his leadership.
According to The Guardian, several Cabinet ministers have been dissuaded from resigning early by Burnham's camp to prevent government chaos ahead of the by-election. Burnham supporters within the Government had planned to resign to pressure the Prime Minister into making way for his rival. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who resigned to launch a prospective Labour leadership bid, reportedly met Burnham while campaigning in Makerfield on Monday.
The Prime Minister may face immediate pressure to accept a leadership contest or stand down, as Streeting has indicated willingness to trigger the race. Burnham's nearest competitor in Makerfield is Nigel Farage's Reform UK, which polls suggest is losing voters to Restore Britain, a party to its right advocating stricter migration policies.
On Wednesday, Burnham urged voters not to support Reform UK's candidate Robert Kenyon, warning that a Reform victory could lead to 'darker and more divided politics'. He stated: 'There is a path that carries on and makes Britain look more and more like the United States of America, and we do not, in my view, want to end up there, where people can't talk to each other in the street. That's not the Britain I know, and the Britain that I love, and that's not the path that we should be taking.'
