Key facts
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been developing attack lines against Labour MP Andy Burnham.
- Badenoch warned of a "summer of chaos" and economic uncertainty under Burnham's potential leadership.
- She criticized Burnham for lacking a plan and avoiding public scrutiny.
- Reform UK has also attacked Burnham, labeling his agenda as "hard socialism" and linking him to his predecessor's unpopularity.
- Both Conservative and Reform strategists are grappling with how to best position themselves against Burnham.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is actively developing and testing strategies to criticize Andy Burnham, the Labour MP widely expected to become Britain's next prime minister. In a recent speech, Badenoch warned of a "summer of chaos" under Burnham's potential leadership, suggesting that investment decisions would be halted and the economy would be left in limbo due to potential tax rises and increased borrowing.
Badenoch further criticized Burnham for lacking a concrete plan and for avoiding public scrutiny, pointing to his recent speeches in Manchester where he did not take questions. This follows earlier sharp remarks from Badenoch, who dismissed Burnham as "a pair of eyelashes and a fancy t-shirt" during a session in the House of Commons.
Both the Conservative Party and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, are reportedly struggling to formulate a long-term strategy to counter Burnham. Reform UK has attempted to tie Burnham to the unpopularity of his predecessor and has called for an immediate general election. Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice, has characterized Burnham's platform as "hard socialism" and "hard-left."
However, some within the Conservative party believe Burnham's decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, where he defeated Reform UK, presents a challenge to Reform's anti-establishment narrative. A Conservative official suggested that Reform's argument of "vote Reform, get rid of Starmer" is no longer viable, as Burnham has effectively replaced Starmer. Some Conservatives are preparing for the possibility of an early general election, with one official suggesting readiness for 2027.
Despite these strategic discussions, a Conservative adviser admitted uncertainty about the best approach to challenge Burnham. The party is also grappling with its own poor polling numbers following a period of leadership changes in 2024.