As the Guardian exclusively reports, confidants of Andy Burnham have thrown their support behind the Home Secretary’s plans. The Mayor of Greater Manchester wants to contextualize the measures but not water them down. Mahmood’s proposals aim to limit both legal and illegal immigration.
Some senior Labour MPs had previously criticized the plans as un-British and reminiscent of Donald Trump’s policies. Burnham’s support is therefore seen as a blow to those in the party who had hoped for a softening. A source familiar with the matter told the Guardian: “For Andy, migration is a moral issue – it’s about showing people who have lost trust in politics that we are in control and can do good.”
Burnham himself faces a difficult return to Westminster. In the by-election in Makerfield, he is running against Reform UK, which has already branded him “Open-Borders Andy.” His campaign does not want to water down the government’s migration restrictions, which include abolishing permanent refugee status.
A spokesperson for Burnham and the Home Office declined to comment. Burnham was previously confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the by-election and is seen as a potential challenger to Keir Starmer should he win the seat.
Source: www.theguardian.com
