Burnham’s promise of ‘change’ called into question

On 1 June, Keir Starmer’s government released more of Peter Mandelson’s emails. Among those who spoke out in response was Andy Burnham – the Greater Manchester mayor who’s currently maneuvering to replace Starmer as PM. Burnham is running on a platform of ‘change’, but as we’ll get into, there’s not much evidence to suggest he’ll change anything:

How are you going to deliver a “fundamental culture change” if you are rewarding Josh Simons with a plum position in return for his seat?

He’s quite literally the problem with the Labour party . . . https://t.co/YTRoO7FEWr

— Sharmen Rahman (@sharmen_r) June 1, 2026

Burnham and Change 2.0

His statement reads in full:

Today’s revelations will further damage people’s confidence in our political system.

When I left Westminster 10 years ago, I did so in the belief that it needed fundamental cultural change. I remain of that view and believe that change can’t come soon enough.

People have lost faith in a Westminster system which puts private vested interests above the wider public interest and concentrates too much power in too few hands.

We urgently need a national politics which, rather than looking past places like Makerfield, properly works for them. We need a new political culture that is rooted in accountability and a genuine focus on the priorities of working people.

If we are serious about restoring trust in politics we must rebuild a system where public service is at the heard of decision-making.

“Change”, eh, where have we heard that before?

Change. Vote for it. pic.twitter.com/PfdCmChOqg

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 3, 2024

Change begins. Watch my speech here. https://t.co/npCLojfGZk

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 5, 2024

Change has begun. pic.twitter.com/FpeaKHX5cf

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 24, 2024

We will fix the foundations, repair the damage, reform government and rebuild Britain.

We will deliver change. pic.twitter.com/PeNCHyZAES

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 5, 2024

The problem with Burnham’s statement is that it states everything besides what he’ll actually do. And this is a problem, because other things he’s said suggest he won’t change much.

Change what?

One commenter responding to Burnham’s statement said:

Boggles the mind that one could speak obliquely on 1 June 2026 about ‘today’s revelations’ & mean, & assume everyone else to understand, Mandelson rigmarole

This was in reference to the day’s other events – chief among them the Home Office banning left-wing Americans Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from the entering the country. What’s this got to do with Burnham? Well, the current head of the Home Office is Shabana Mahmood, and Burnham has given her controversial immigration reforms his backing. There’s also speculation he might make her the chancellor:

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham is set to appoint Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor if he becomes PM

[@kateferguson4]

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) May 30, 2026

Take the above with a massive pinch of salt, mind, as it comes from the Sun. Another thing you should take with a pinch of salt is any suggestion Andy will renationalise public services. As we reported:

Despite it being presented as a quote, Burnham did not talk about ‘renationalising’ anything in the above; instead he talked about putting utilities under “stronger public control”. Now, Burnham is setting the record straight, with the Times reporting:

He has also spoken of stronger public control over utility companies. “I use that phrase advisedly. People then shorthand it as nationalisation; it’s not the same thing,” he said, pointing to Greater Manchester’s bus services, which are run by private operators.

Burnham got very upset when we suggested the above was him saying he has no plan to renationalise the Water industry. Much like with his latest statement, however, he failed to clarify what he actually has planned.

Burnham also managed to convince some that he was a strong advocate for proportional representation. As they’re slowly realising, however, his plans are not what they seemed:

You signed a statement calling on the Greens to stand aside for him, why are you acting as if you didn't do that

— Stats for Lefties 🍉🏳️‍⚧️ (@LeftieStats) June 2, 2026

We’ve all been Burnham-ed before

Look, we’d love nothing more than for Burnham to come in and fix the problems he’s vaguely gesturing at. Until he fleshes out what he has planned, though, we’re going to keep pointing out HE CLEARLY HAS NO PLAN.

Featured image via Leon Neal (Getty Images)