STORY
Andy Burnham has said he would support major electoral reform if he became Prime Minister, including changes intended to make politics less focused on party conflict and more focused on problem-solving. The Greater Manchester Mayor made the comments in an interview with BBC Radio Manchester as he campaigns as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election.
Burnham has previously supported proportional representation for UK general elections and said the political system needed to become more place-led and long-term in its approach. He argued that politics in Britain was at risk of becoming broken unless power was shared more effectively and public trust was rebuilt.
The Makerfield contest is due on 18 June and is expected to be one of the most significant by-elections of the Parliament. Burnham is seeking a return to Westminster before any possible Labour leadership challenge, while Reform UK is expected to make the seat a major test of Labour support in the north-west.