British PM Keir Starmer resigned, plunging the country into a new crisis. He was under tremendous pressure following revelations that he went ahead with the appointment of former British ambassador Peter Mandelson to the US despite the fact that the envoy enjoyed close ties with notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He was also facing pressure from his own party following its humiliating defeat in the recent local elections, which witnessed a phenomenal surge in the popularity of the anti-immigration Reform UK party.
Starmer has already informed King Charles III and asked his party to select a new leader. A number of candidates are in the running, with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emerging as the hot favourite. He is being supported by various sections of the Labour Party. Burnham has a mixed legacy. He has been close to former prime minister Tony Blair, who was instrumental in waging the illegal war against Iraq. It is believed that, in an effort to correct the mistakes of the past, he later supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. However, according to some critics, he also enjoys close ties with Tel Aviv. He is considered to be somewhat to the left of the Labour Party on economic issues. It is widely believed that he would nationalise at least some companies that have created hardships for ordinary people by raising the prices of water and other utilities.
While Starmer faced stiff resistance from the left of the party over Palestine and his neoliberal policies, it is believed that Burnham may not face the same level of opposition because, at least on economic matters, he is expected to shift government policy in a more left-leaning direction. It is believed that if he lives up to his promises, the cost-of-living situation could improve somewhat because, according to some critics, the policies of privatisation, deregulation and liberalisation pursued since the 1970s have led to a sharp rise in living costs, with ordinary British citizens paying more than GBP200 a month extra due to increases in water, electricity, gas and council tax charges. In addition, the Ukraine conflict has added to the financial woes of ordinary British people.
However, his possible economic policies might infuriate Reform UK, which could launch sustained campaigns against him in a bid to undermine his popularity. Nigel Farage has been advocating the reindustrialisation of the UK, which many critics believe would be environmentally destructive. Some right-wing elements in British society also want to revitalise the fossil fuel industry to make the UK self-sufficient. Many environmentalists, however, argue that such policies would be a recipe for environmental disaster.
The change of more than six prime ministers within the span of a few years indicates that no head of government has been able to reverse the neoliberal policies initiated by Margaret Thatcher and continued under New Labour. This clearly suggests that even the country’s top politicians are constrained when it comes to changing them. In recent years, the government has also attempted to strike a controversial deal with Palantir, which has been accused of having close links with Israel. There are also fears that some politicians want to abolish the National Health Service and replace it with an insurance-based healthcare system similar to that in the US, which critics argue has caused immense hardship for millions of people. Given all this, it will not be an easy ride for Andy Burnham, who enjoys support from both left- and right-wing sections of the party.
It is quite possible that he would find himself sandwiched between these two diametrically opposed forces. While he may have the support of left-wing activists within his party to pursue pro-people reforms, he may find it difficult to convince companies and vested interests with a deep stake in maintaining policies that have led to severe financial difficulties for ordinary British people.
It is not only in the political arena that the incoming leader will face opposition. At the social level, he will also have to confront the growing threat posed by the far right, which has gained strength in the aftermath of Reform UK’s victory. It has used this newfound momentum to further polarise society, and some of its supporters have intensified their propaganda against Muslims and other immigrants. The recent attacks on immigrants in Belfast and protests in several parts of the country indicate that the far right is likely to give Burnham a tough time, as he is considered more sympathetic towards Muslims, immigrants and other marginalised sections of society than Keir Starmer was.
While left-wing forces in the country might support his economic policies – provided they are genuinely pro-people – they may still oppose him over Palestine. The first litmus test for his government could be his approach towards the Palestine Action Committee, whose members have received lengthy prison sentences. Many pro-Palestinian politicians and activists have been advocating their release and may pin their hopes on Burnham. If he disappoints them, it could create disillusionment among left-wing circles.
Even on the economic front, the Green Party, which also advocates nationalisation and more left-wing economic policies, may press him to do more to transform the economy. This could pit him against the right wing of the Labour Party as well as vested interests in British society that favour pro-business reforms.
It is clear that if Burnham fails to implement meaningful economic reforms, his government may not last long, potentially creating another political crisis and forcing the country into an early general election. Given the current popularity of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, there is a strong possibility that it could sweep the polls and secure an overwhelming majority. It is therefore important that Andy Burnham pursue reforms that can provide immediate relief to ordinary British people. This could be one way of reversing the momentum of anti-immigration forces and the far right.
The writer is a freelance journalist who can be reached at: [email protected]
