Newton Emerson: Andy Burnham’s Labour could fill growing electoral gap in Northern Ireland
Andy Burnham, Labour’s Manchester mayor, reiterated his long-standing call to lift Labour’s ban on running candidates in Northern Ireland, framing it as part of broader UK constitutional reforms. He proposed a timeline for change, potentially as early as the 2029 general election, though internal opposition and leadership hurdles remain significant obstacles.
Andy Burnham, Labour’s Manchester mayor, has again called for the party to lift its ban on standing candidates in Northern Ireland, a stance he has held since his 2010 and 2015 leadership campaigns. This move aligns with his broader vision of UK constitutional reform, including replacing the House of Lords with an elected senate to address regional imbalances. Burnham linked the Northern Ireland proposal to introducing proportional representation for Westminster elections, suggesting it could foster collaboration rather than competition with local parties like the SDLP. Burnham told *The House* magazine he aims for an early change, possibly by the 2029 general election, though practical steps like running in Stormont or council elections could come sooner due to proportional representation systems already in place. Realistically, Labour’s first official candidates might appear in the 2031 council elections or the 2032 Stormont elections, with the next general election in 2034 as the latest possible timeline. His reinvention as the ‘king of the north’ strengthens the appeal of these reforms, which target England’s regional disparities. The SDLP, Labour’s sister party in Northern Ireland, is unlikely to support the move, and internal Labour opposition remains a hurdle. Burnham must first win the Makerfield by-election and secure the party leadership before lifting the ban. Outdated polling from 2018 suggests limited support, with only 6% of adults giving Labour first preference in elections, though the issue remains divisive, with 52% opposing Labour’s participation entirely. The Northern Ireland branch’s 2018 surge in membership, driven by Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, later dwindled as support for the ban persisted. Despite unofficial candidates winning a councillor seat in Fermanagh in 2019, broader electoral traction has been minimal. Burnham’s proposal hinges on overcoming both external skepticism and internal resistance within Labour, with the earliest feasible action at the 2027 party conference—too late for upcoming elections.
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