Andy Burnham has criticized Keir Starmer’s policy of preventing Labor leaders from joining picket lines, saying he would not “see that as controversial” during a cost-of-living crisis.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is to join Mick Lynch, the leader of the RMT rail union, at the launch of the Enough is Enough movement in the city on Tuesday. The group is calling for lower energy prices and higher wages and benefits.
Speaking to Sky News, Burnham again refused to rule out running for the Labor leadership in the future, saying he would consider it “one day”.
Starmer, the party leader, has been at odds with several union leaders after discouraging shadow ministers from joining the picket lines, which many leaders have nevertheless done.
Starmer’s aides argue that while Labor supports fair treatment and pay for workers, as a governing party it cannot take sides on specific disputes.
On Sunday, the leader of Usdaw, which represents shop workers, called on other union bosses to stop criticizing Starmer over the policy. Paddy Lillis said it was time for “a bit of silence” from critics such as Sharon Graham, the United boss.
Asked if he would join a union leader on a picket line, Burnham said: “I would, you know. I don’t see it as controversial. People are struggling for their incomes in a cost-of-living crisis . Of course you have to recognize the point they’re making.”
Ministers must treat key workers as they did during Covid, he argued, noting that “everyone was applauding them”. “Now we have to recognize that people will need fair pay rises if they are to keep Britain going through what will be a really tough time.”
Although Burnham has formally backed Enough is Enough, she told Sky News she could not support another new movement, Don’t Pay UK, which calls on consumers to withhold payment of their energy bills.
“At this stage it is definitely a step I would not support,” he said. “We have to live within the rule of law. We have to maintain a country where people respect the rules and the way things are done.
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“I understand why people say that, but I wouldn’t in any way recommend that people be like that. What we need is action to make things affordable for people, but I think these types of calls will increase if we don’t see the ‘scale of action that will be needed’.
Asked about running for Labor leader, Burnham said: “Maybe one day, if that would be something people would support, but not now because we have a leader of the Labor party who is leading through the cost of living crisis and I am delighted to give my full support to Keir.”