Andy Burnham talks to people on their level - unlike uneasy Keir Starmer
The Greater Manchester Mayor told voters he knows why they were unhappy - showing that he understands them more than the PM.
In his first speech since announcing his intention to return to parliament, Andy Burnham was pretty explicit about his leadership ambitions.
The Greater Manchester Mayor said a “vote for me will be a vote to change Labour, because Labour needs to change if we are to regain people’s trust”.
This is quite surreal given he has not yet been selected as the party’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, and makes it even more crazy that the Prime Minister will not block him.
Speaking at an investment summit in Leeds, the King in the North showed that he is adept at politics.
He told voters he knows why they were unhappy - showing that he understands them more than Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr Burnham has already been thrown a banana skin by fellow leadership contender Wes Streeting who said that "leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake".
The mayor said just months ago that he “wants to rejoin” the EU, but Makerfield voted heavily for Brexit. This could be a problem.
With the prospect of becoming Labour leader and Prime Minister, a savvy Mr Burnham knew not to fall for the trap which Mr Streeting had set.
He said: “Brexit has been damaging, but the last thing we need right now is to re-run those arguments... I'm not proposing that Britain considers rejoining the EU.”
Mr Burnham then discussed the disillusionment that people feel - which is driving many towards Reform UK.
He said backing him was “a vote to make life more affordable again, a vote to power up places, a vote to reindustrialise.
“This is the choice in this by-election. Do you want Makerfield and the North to stay on the same path it’s been for the last 40 years, or do you want a new path which brings the country back together and makes it work for everyone?”
This acknowledges that New Labour did not do enough to improve people’s lives. The pledge to “reindustrialise” will catch the eye in towns up and down the country.
It harks back to a past when people felt were better off, with more community spirit and pride - a bit like the Vote Leave slogan “take back control”.
It is also hopeful and suggests a brighter and better future for the country.
Of course this sounds good, but it is much easier said that done.
Where will the money come from to bring widespread industry back to the UK? Will it be higher taxes? Abolishing the triple lock?
These are questions for another day.
There is only one thing on Mr Burnham’s mind: convincing the people of Makerfield to back him instead of Reform.
With this opening pitch, he has given himself a chance.
He has shown voters that he at least listens.
Although Sir Keir has said he will support whoever is selected to run for Labour in Makerfield, he may be quietly hoping that Mr Burnham loses.
This speech showed that Mr Burnham knows how to talk to people on their level, in a way the uneasy PM could only dream of.
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