Andy Burnham launches election campaign in sunny Makerfield

Andy Burnham has today launched his campaign to become the next MP for Makerfield.

The Greater Manchester Mayor is hoping to win over voters ahead of a by-election taking place on Thursday 18th June, which was triggered following the resignation of Josh Simons.

Burnham’s opening campaign address put significant emphasis on local issues, and what he would do for the local area, as well as why he wanted to stand specifically for Makerfield.

He said: “I love this place, I love the people.” He went on to refer to his local roots, saying: “I have lived here for 25 years. I live two miles from the centre of the campaign. I can walk here.” 

Burnham has promised changes for Makerfield’s local residents. He said that reforms are needed in the economy, in education, in transport and in politics in general. He has committed to ensuring that Wigan council get to a position, whereby they are “building more council houses than losing to right to buy”. Additionally, Burnham says he wants to create a “new generation of council homes, which are cheaper to rent and cheaper to run.” 
 

His main focus however is to give the people of Makerfield a voice in Westminster. He said that Makerfield currently faces “a Westminster system which puts them at the bottom of the list, when they should be at the top of the list”. Burnham also spoke about his desire to make it more accessible for local residents to work and travel around the country, criticising the £364 anytime single fare for a train to London from Wigan North Western. 
 

Burnham reflected on his time as Greater Manchester mayor, and joined by Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram. Burnham said: “We left Westminster ten years ago, to build something different for the North West, something better”, adding that: “We have built a new politics. We’ve put place first over party first.”

Burnham aimed some criticism at the current state of the Labour Party, stating that: “I know my own party needs to change”, and that: “We have not been good enough.” However, whilst he said; “A vote for me is a vote to change Labour”, he refused to comment on the speculation that he would challenge Kier Starmer for the Labour leadership, arguing that he can make an impact nationally, whilst only serving as a local MP. He argued that as mayor, he has lead the way on national policies, including the £2 bus fare cap and the nationalisation of the railways.

Burnham has responded to Reform UK candidate, Robert Kenyon, after he accused Burnham of using the by-election as a “stepping stone”. Burnham said: “How can this be a stepping stone when this is where I began?”

Currently, the other candidates standing in Makerfield are Rebecca Shepherd (Restore UK), Michael Winstanley (Conservatives), Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats) and Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party). The Greens are still to select a candidate after Chris Kennedy pulled out yesterday.