Communal leaders urge new PM Burnham to act swiftly against antisemitism
Jewish Leadership Council congratulated Burnham and expressed eagerness to work with his government
Communal leaders have urged new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to “move faster and act firmer in developing existing and new policies” to tackle anti-Jewish hatred in the UK.
Following Keir Starmer’s formal resignation and as Burnham delivered his first address as Prime Minister outside Downing Street, the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) congratulated Burnham and expressed eagerness to work with his government. “We look forward to working constructively with his government to ensure that measures to tackle anti-Jewish hatred and the extremist ideologies behind it are brought forward without delay,” the JLC said in a statement.
The JLC also acknowledged Starmer’s efforts in combating antisemitism, stating: “We thank Sir Keir Starmer for his service as he departs Downing Street. Having become Labour leader after a period of rampant antisemitism within the party, he showed clear leadership in fighting for the removal of this hatred from his own ranks.
“As Prime Minister, Starmer introduced significant measures to protect British Jews, including record security funding and legislation to designate the IRGC. He also initiated several reviews into antisemitism; it will now be for his successor to ensure these lead to concrete action.”
The JLC emphasised: “Burnham inherits a country in which antisemitism has become increasingly tolerated. We will be working with his government to move faster and act firmer in developing policies to challenge this hatred.”
In his statement, Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg offered his own congratulations to Burnham, adding “we welcome his early commitment to tackling antisemitism, and will work with his administration towards the UK playing its strongest role in global peace and security.”
Chief Rabbi Emprain Mirvis later posted on X:”Congratulations to Andy Burnham as he becomes Prime Minister today.
“He assumes the immense responsibility of leadership at a time of great challenge, both at home and abroad. May he be blessed with the wisdom, strength and good judgment to keep our country safe and may his service bring prosperity and harmony for all.”
Manchester’s The Fed also praised Burnham’s past track record of support for the organisation, saying the former mayor “took time out to understand our organisation and champion it when ever he could.”
They said they looked forward to continuing to work with the new PM “on ensuring Holocaust education is prioritised in schools across the country.”
He announced that his first instruction upon entering No 10 would be “to end rough sleeping in our country.” He is expected to announce his cabinet later in the day.
There is growing speculation that Ed Miliband could be appointed Foreign Secretary, a prospect that has caused concern among some community leaders.
Another potential ally for Burnham is Baroness Luciana Berger, the former Liverpool Wavertree MP, who is believed to be interested in a health role in the Lords
The former Labour leader, who is Jewish, has a long-standing position advocating for Palestinian statehood while supporting Israel’s right to exist.
He famously led the Labour Party in 2014 to vote in favour of a parliamentary motion recognising Palestinian statehood, and was among those pushing former PM Starmer to adopt the position last year.
Another potential ally for Burnham is Baroness Luciana Berger, the former Liverpool Wavertree MP, who is believed to be interested in a health role in the Lords.
But Baroness Gillian Merron, former chief executive of the Board of Deputies, is widely regarded as having performed well as a health minister under Starmer.
Burnham was photographed alongside wife Marie-France van Heel on the steps of No.10 after accepting an invitation to form a new government at a meeting with King Charles III.
Burnham said his appointment as Prime Minister will be a “circuit breaker” for Britain.
The new Prime Minister said he would bring “life’s essentials back under stronger public control” to make them more affordable for the public.
He said: “I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you and I want to be honest with you. We have not been good enough, and we need to be better. We will be.
“We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.”
Burnham hit out at the legacy of Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government on the UK.
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