STORY
Nearly 80 Labour MPs have urged Andy Burnham to move away from what they described as hostile rhetoric on immigration as he prepares to become Labour leader and Prime Minister. Their intervention focused on proposals including a longer route to indefinite leave to remain and called for a more balanced approach to migration and asylum policy.
The MPs argued that Labour risked adopting language and policies associated with Reform UK, while failing to address practical weaknesses in the asylum system. They called for measures including allowing asylum seekers to work after six months and reducing reliance on expensive private accommodation contracts.
Burnham has secured overwhelming support among Labour MPs and is expected to be confirmed as leader without a contested ballot. The letter demonstrates that, despite the scale of his parliamentary backing, he will face early pressure from different wings of the party over immigration, public spending and the direction of the next Government.