Jewish Labour veterans Lansman and Hodge explain their support for Burnham
'Burnham is starting off in a good place in terms of relations with the Jewish community of Manchester,' said Lansman
Veteran Jewish Labour figures Jon Lansman and Baroness Margaret Hodge have become the latest prominent members of the party to voice their support for Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to become the next prime minister.
Speaking to Jewish News, Jon Lansman — a prominent figure on Labour’s left and once closely associated with Jeremy Corbyn before speaking out about antisemitism in the party—explained why he became a key supporter of Burnham during the latter’s push to return to Westminster politics last year.
He now praises Burnham’s ability to connect with Manchester’s sizable Jewish community during his tenure as mayor, as well as his success in winning over working-class voters in this month’s by-election.
“Andy Burnham is starting off in a good place in terms of relations with the Jewish community,” Lansman said.
“His experience dealing with the community in Manchester — and the terrible attacks on Jews there—will be vital,” he added.
“He’s a better communicator, and Manchester is home to the second-largest Jewish community in the country; I have family there.”
“I see no reason why he shouldn’t be able to reach the Jewish community across the country. He starts from a good place thanks to his Manchester experience.”
Lansman said that while he had been “open-minded” about a Starmer-led party at first, he ultimately felt the former lawyer lacked both political experience and clarity of message.
On foreign policy, Lansman added: “I’m not clear what Starmer’s position actually was. I know he had a distinctive desire—mainly in response to the antisemitism under Corbyn—to support Israel. But what does supporting Israel mean?”
Lansman, founder of Momentum and supporter of the progressive Jewish and Palestinian Standing Together grassroots group, said Burnham would also soon need to clarify his own position on the Middle East.
“I think it would be alright if he left Israel-Palestine issues alone for a little while, but he is going to have to address foreign policy eventually. Obviously, domestic policy is the most urgent,” he reasoned.
“As far as Israel, of course that gets more complicated,” added Lansman.
“It’s not clear to me what Burnham thinks about Netanyahu and the current Israeli government.
“I would be very surprised if he is not hostile to Ben Gvir, Smotrich and others. I assume he is supportive of two states and a peace process that could lead to that outcome. That’s where I think he is.
“But I know that’s not where Israeli politics is — although I live in hope.”
In another sign of Burnham’s broad support from across the Labour Party, veteran Jewish peer Baroness Margaret Hodge also revealed she had been impressed by Burnham.
“Andy’s been around for a long time,” Hodge said.
“He was an MP, he served as a cabinet minister in three different departments, and he has run a major city. I think he’s got an immense amount of experience.”
Hodge, formerly the Jewish Labour Movement’s parliamentary chair, added: “People have seen, from his work in Manchester and the Makerfield by-election, that he has a real sense of empathy and can relate to people.”
Hodge also rejected the argument that Burnham should face a leadership contest to better test his policy ideas.
She told Channel 4 News: “I’ve thought about this and, on the whole, I think it’s better that we have a very quick process and decide on the leader of the Labour Party without delay.
“And let me tell you why: we’re in government, and it’s vital that we get on with the business of governing.”
Jewish Labour peer Luciana Berger also emerged as a vocal supporter of Andy Burnham as he returned to Westminster last Monday as Makerfield’s new MP.
She praised Burnham’s “very significant record as a politician, both locally and nationally, on several fronts.”
Berger also revealed she watched from the House of Commons gallery as Burnham—Greater Manchester’s former mayor — was sworn in as MP for Makerfield.
Berger, who previously served as MP for Liverpool Wavertree before becoming a peer in December 2024, reflected on her experience working alongside Burnham when both were members of Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow team.
“I’ve seen him up close and personal in his work,” Berger told Sky News. “As a fellow north-west MP, I witnessed the relationships he built with Hillsborough families and the impact he had in driving meaningful change.”
The Jewish Labour Movement wished the ex Greater Manchester mayor “Mazel Tov” after his by-election victory.
But 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.
While Burnham is the most likely candidate to succeed Sir Keir, other MPs are still being discussed as potential leadership contenders.
Former defence minister Al Carns, who left shortly after John Healey this month, told BBC Newsnight he was “pretty serious” about launching a leadership bid.
He added that he wanted to see what policies Burnham would champion, telling the BBC: “We need to see that material before I can decide to back anyone.”
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has ruled out challenging for the leadership, telling Sky News: “Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister.”
Burnham has been offered government briefings to prepare for power after Civil Service access talks were authorised by the Prime Minister.
The pair met on Tuesday for the first time since Burnham’s return to Westminster, in a face-to-face meeting away from No 10 that was reportedly “frosty,” according to the Guardian.
Talks are also ongoing about who might serve in a Burnham cabinet and who could advise the former Greater Manchester mayor behind the scenes.
Senior Labour figures—including former transport secretary Louise Haigh, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and former health secretary Wes Streeting—have all been tipped for top jobs in a government led by Burnham.
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