Welsh Labour Backs Andy Burnham After May Election Losses as Starmer Doubts Deepen
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 21
Welsh Labour Backs Andy Burnham After May Election Losses as Starmer Doubts Deepen
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 21
Summary
Welsh Labour figures say optimism has returned after the Makerfield by-election, with many now hoping Andy Burnham can replace Keir Starmer before the next general election.
May's Senedd election losses sharpened that push: voters repeatedly cited Starmer and his policies as Labour lost support to Plaid Cymru on the left and faced pressure from Reform on the right.
Burnham is seen as a candidate who could answer both problems — more sympathetic to Wales through his devolution record and better able to reconnect with Labour's working-class base.
His appeal has widened because allies believe he has already shown he can beat Reform convincingly, prompting some Welsh Labour supporters who had favored Wes Streeting to switch sides.