A Labour by-election win in Wakefield will mark a “very big step” on the road to win back the Red Wall, Andy Burnham has said.
Wakefield is scheduled to go to the polls on June 23 after former Tory incumbent Imran Ahmad Khan was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.
The constituency was part of Labour's Red Wall until the seat crumbled to the Conservatives in 2019, for the first time in 90 years.
The Mayor of Manchester, who was MP for the red wall seat of Leigh for fifteen years, saw voters moving away from the party because it became “too London-centric”.
He suggests the party has recognised this issue, prompting Labour leader Keir Starmer to make himself more visible in northern England.
But the party is in need of a big vision Brits can get behind, and it must be delivered now, the Labour heavyweight believes.
He spoke exclusively to the Daily Mirror on his first day campaigning in Wakefield which sits more than 50 miles away from his Greater Manchester authority.
Still the bookies' favourite to become the next Labour leader, Mr Burnham said Mr Starmer must set out his big vision for the party before conference season in Autumn.
“I think we're just at that stage of the Parliament where that is what now needs to be done. It's the next phase now.”
“I think Labour should fight the next election, as the party of real levelling-up.”
His comments may come as a surprise to some in the Shadow Cabinet, with one shadow frontbencher telling the Mirror “we already have strong policies” before admitting they are not always conveyed effectively.
The Manchester Mayor stood outside the Labour party ’s Wakefield headquarters which was still festooned with Union Jack flags after the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
Mr Starmer has been keen to associate the Labour party with patriotism this year, making speeches and addresses in front of the flag to win back disillusioned voters.
For Mr Burnham, delivering real changes for people in a cost of living crisis showcases the party in power.
“You've got Labour Mayors across the North that are making real changes for people.
“This is the difference between what's traditionally come out of Westminster and what Labour is doing in power.
“This is an important by-election for the north of England as it will signal how people feel here. They’ve been let down on levelling up after a number of repeated promises.
“This is a real opportunity for the people of Wakefield to speak for the North and say, you can’t come here and promise things and take us for mugs. I hope the people of Wakefield send a big message back to Boris and say we’re not fooled.”
A rising star turned key-player in the New Labour era, Mr Burnham has become known as ‘King of the North’ for developing flagship projects like his ambitious plans to integrate the city’s fragmented transport networks.
He has moved a step closer to ensuring bus fares in Greater Manchester will cost no more than £2 a journey.
Mr Burnham has no doubt that the country is ready for Mr Starmer’s leadership.
“This government cannot be allowed to think they can continue as they are. It’s a clown show at times.”
The Labour party would bring a “serious show of leadership” which is exactly what this country needs, he says.
“Seriousness is the issue isn't it and Keir brings that seriousness. And that's what we need to get back to.”
“We’re not taking anything for granted”, Labour campaigners insist as many recall the statistic that Labour has only won one seat back at a by-election in the last 25 years.
Next week's by-election marks a key test for Mr Starmer to determine if his leadership can overturn the Tory majority of 3,358, gained when they won the West Yorkshire seat for the first time since 1932.
The Labour leader’s visit to Wakefield on Monday was almost overshadowed by the launch of the standard’s watchdog investigation over whether Mr Starmer broke the rules by being late in registering earnings and gifts.
Polls have put Labour on a 20-point lead, which many Labour insiders insist are overinflated.
Constituency polling by JL Partners for The Sunday Times put Labour on 48 points compared with 28 points for the Tories - a 19 point drop from their 2019 performance.
Labour insiders told the Mirror internal figures show the party is on a much narrower majority.
Candidate Simon Lightwood insists he is not focused on the numbers.
He told the Mirror: "I'm completely focused on the doorstep in front of me. Having these conversations with people mean so much to me. It's these very conversations that have formed my policies."
Mr Lightwood has vowed to deliver cheaper bus fares, save the NHS King Street walk-in health centre, and bring in more police on the streets to tackle anti-social behaviour.
