Burnham secures JLM nomination after members vote

The Jewish Labour Movement has nominated Andy Burnham for Leader of the Labour Party following a ballot of its members.

In a statement, JLM said the result of the vote reflected the “diversity” of the Labour affiliate’s membership, suggesting that some members chose the option of making no nomination.

The organisation said it now “looks forward to working constructively with Andy and his team to advocate for the Jewish community and safeguard the progress” made under the previous leader, Keir Starmer.

Burnham, set to become PM next Monday, had earlier written to JLM members to ask for their support for his leadership bid, in which he was the only candidate standing.

His letter said: “Antisemitism is a poison in our society. It is on the rise, and we must collectively do more to counter it. I want to be part of that fight, standing with the community and ensuring other institutions across society do so too.

“I share your view that there is no contradiction between condemning the destruction in Gaza and calling out those who use that cause to attack the Jewish community in Britain.

“There can be no compromise with those who seek to foster division in place of unity.”

Jewish News had previously revealed that JLM’s leadership had written to Burnham on at least two occasions, requesting clarification on his approach to dealing with far-left news outlets and on his call for two activists, no longer in the party, to return.

JLM members are also known to have been concerned by Burnham’s more recent interventions on Gaza.

In a sign of the close relationship with outgoing Keir Starmer, JLM national chair Ella-Rose Jacobs was asked to deliver the opening speech at a Downing Street farewell event for the PM.

While JLM has nominated Burnham, sources close to the organisation say there is “work to do” to build the kind of relationship it had with Starmer.