Burnham promising ‘clear stance’ on Israel in aftermath of Makerfield by-election victory

Victorious Andy Burnham is promising to offer a “clear stance” on issues such as Israel and Palestine in the aftermath of his impressive by-election win in Makerfield, after deciding the issue was not central to his campaign in the largely white working-class north-west of England seat.

Burnham was announced as the new Labour MP for Makerfield after attracting a commanding 55% of the vote, easily defeating Reform UK’s candidate, Rob Kenyon, who finished more than 9,000 votes behind in second place.

Sources close to Burnham have confirmed that he was reticent to speak about foreign policy during the campaign, as there was little support shown to parties like the Greens in the seat—unlike in the recent by-election in Gorton and Denton, where Zack Polanski’s party exploited resentment over Gaza and Israel’s actions to the full.

However, Jewish News understands Burnham is likely to become more outspoken on the matter in the coming weeks, with a crunch Mayoral election in Greater Manchester still to be fought and won.

Once again, Labour is likely to face a tougher battle in winning over support in the region from those who believe Starmer has been too soft on Israel over the Gaza war.

Days before Thursday’s by-election, Burnham told one left-wing activist in Makerfield, who said a lot of Labour members had left the party over Gaza, “But you know, I was one of those who called for a ceasefire shortly after the events of October 7, as horrific as they were, because that was the stance I took.”

Asked about his approach to Gaza and the “ongoing genocide there,” Burnham told Turn Left Media: “Obviously I have huge concerns about what is going on there. I visited with Labour Friends of Palestine in 2012.

“I have taken a clear stance on these matters, and have done so over many years.”

On Friday, Jewish Labour Movement wished the Greater London Mayor “Mazel Tov” as Burnham’s victory paved the way for an expected leadership challenge to current Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Labour peer Luciana Berger was among Jewish party figures to actively campaign for Burnham in the by-election, along with Courts Minister Sarah Sackman and Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky.

Individual members of JLM’s north-west branch also joined activists to canvass, although the group sent no official delegation, in a seat with only a tiny number of Jewish voters.

The by-election took place after MP Josh Simons decided to stand down to allow Burnham a route back into politics.

But Simons’ hopes of a ministerial career had been dashed when he was forced to resign as a result of the Labour Together scandal.

It is understood that several Jewish Labour figures, who had been supportive of Keir Starmer’s leadership or more recently have backed Wes Streeting, have been left outraged by Simons’ conduct, which has seen him now welcomed by the party’s hard-left.

Meanwhile, Jewish News understands that JLM have written to Burnham on at least two occasions requesting clarification on several issues which have raised concerns.

One concern revolved around Burnham’s seemingly open approach to dealing with far-left news sites such as The Canary.

JLM is also believed to have again written to Burnham after he appeared to call for the return of at least two figures who left Labour after being only criticised for their stance around challenging antisemitism, and over claims one had attempted to use Gaza and Palestine in a divisive manner to attract support for her.

Both individuals left the party, but Burnham has opened the door for their return.

Some Jewish Labour figures are now anxious for clarification on where Burnham will now stand over potentially divisive issues such as Israel and Palestine.

In a sign of his often movable political views, Burnham had once been a senior parliamentary cheerleader for Labour Friends of Israel.

But today, he seems likely to take a foreign policy stance that is tougher on the Jewish state than Starmer.

In 2015, Burnham told the Palestine Solidarity Campaign that he backed recognising Palestinian statehood, saying it was “not a gift to be given but a right to be recognised”.

And last June, ahead of Starmer’s confirmation that he was calling for recognition of a Palestinian state, Burnham joined three other party figures urging the government to recognise Palestinian statehood “without further delay or equivocation”.

In another significant U-turn, Burnham last year criticised the US-led “war on terror” and the Iraq war that he had voted for, under Blair, saying he had learnt from that government’s actions.

Earlier this week Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, a key Burnham ally told Jewish News he will “always stand with” the UK’s Jewish community and described him as being “almost unique in British politics at the moment.”INTERVIEW: Nandy heaps praise on Burnham saying he’ll ‘always stand with the Jewish community’

She added: “He believes in justice, so is acutely aware of the need for a safe homeland for Jewish people, and the particularly unique historical reasons why Israel came into existence.

“But I’m convinced that he will also believe very strongly in the rights and dignity and justice for the Palestinian people.”

Nandy also confirmed Burnham had met with Jewish communal leaders in Greater Manchester “just a few weeks ago.”