Lucy Powell: Burnham Could've Won Gorton, Labour Lost

0:00On this February 28th, this episode is brought to you by NordVPN, fast, reliable online privacy. Links in the episode description. Here's what's shaping the UK right now. Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell admitted that Andy Burnham probably would have won the Gordon and Denton by election if the party hadn't blocked. Him from running, the once-safe Labour seats saw the party drop to third place on Thursday, trailing behind the Greens in reform. Powell explained that the Greens likely wouldn't have targeted the seat as aggressively if Burnham had been the candidate. She's pointing to his strong appeal in greater Manchester as a model for the party. People there see Burnham as someone truly on their side, delivering real labour values and policies. Powell says the party needs to learn from that and apply it nationally, especially as the government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has discussed this focus with her many times, both before and after the vote. Burnham himself hasn't commented yet, while Starmer calls the result disappointing, but vows to push forward.

1:01Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud plans tougher immigration measures next week and warns against shifting left in response. Sources close to her insist the loss isn't about alienating Muslim voters over borders, urging the right lessons from the setback.