politics
Labour Peer Predicts Party Defeat if Burnham Loses Makerfield By-Election
Lord Glasman said a loss for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election would signal the end of Labour support among working-class voters in northern England. He also criticized recent comments by Wes Streeting on rejoining the European Union.
May 17, 10:14 AM·1m read1 source
order-order.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Labour peer Lord Glasman stated that a defeat for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election would mark the end of Labour support among working-class voters in northern England. Speaking to GB News, Lord Glasman said the contest carries major consequences for the party. He described the seat as one where 65 per cent of voters backed leaving the European Union in 2016.
Burnham is expected to stand after Josh Simons stepped down to allow the Greater Manchester Mayor a return to Westminster. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the party will devote significant resources to the race. Lord Glasman said Burnham must connect directly with voters in Wigan and rule out any return to European Union membership.
Glasman called Wes Streeting's recent call to rejoin the European Union "shocking" and described the former Health Secretary as aligned with earlier Labour positions on free movement. He added that Streeting's remarks ignored current economic conditions in Europe and political trends in France and Germany.
Lord Glasman said the by-election is the most significant contest in recent British political history.
