Labour needs a contest, not a coronation

Andy Burnham’s programme deserves more scrutiny before he enters No 10

(R Heilig/Shutterstock)

Britain will soon have its seventh prime minister in 10 years. As rapid as this turnover is, we shouldn’t become dismissive of the office. Few democracies place more power in the hands of one individual, especially those with a commanding parliamentary majority. Leaders who can bend the state to their will, as Attlee, Thatcher and Blair did, can deliver transformative change. And, far from being “ungovernable”, Britain is desperate for direction.

Andy Burnham took a genuine risk by standing in Makerfield. A fashionable view after the local elections was that there was no winnable seat available (and Reform had just won all eight wards in that constituency). But predictions of disaster always ignored Burnham’s status as Britain’s most popular politician. By running as a quasi-independent – complete with Northern Soul branding – he has detached himself from a loathed government. After 25 years in elected politics, that is no small achievement.

Should Burnham halt Reform’s forward march, the cries will go up for a coronation. A Labour leadership contest, it will be said, is too divisive and a waste of precious time. But these protests should be ignored. Burnham deserves more scrutiny as a putative prime minister, rather than merely a by-election candidate, and Labour needs to decide what it is truly for.