Burnham promises Labour MPs he will not use party discipline to ‘stifle debate’
Prime minister in waiting looks to address frustrations backbenchers had with Keir Starmer’s style of party management Andy Burnham has promised MPs that he will never use party discipline to “stifle debate” and says they should raise problems and policy ideas “without fear or favour”. Nominations for the Labour leadership will open on Thursday, and Burnham is expected to be the only candidate. On Wednesday night the former armed forces minister Al Carns confirmed he would not seek to enter the
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Andy Burnham told Labour MPs he wanted to change the culture of fear around party whips. Photograph: House Of Commons Handout/EPAView image in fullscreenAndy Burnham told Labour MPs he wanted to change the culture of fear around party whips. Photograph: House Of Commons Handout/EPALabour party leadershipBurnham promises Labour MPs he will not use party discipline to ‘stifle debate’Prime minister in waiting looks to address frustrations backbenchers had with Keir Starmer’s style of party managementJessica Elgot Deputy political editorWed 8 Jul 2026 17.44 EDTLast modified on Wed 8 Jul 2026 18.05 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAndy Burnham has promised MPs that he will never use party discipline to “stifle debate” and says they should raise problems and policy ideas “without fear or…
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