Andy Burnham to back electoral reform if he becomes prime minister

Andy Burnham said he would support sweeping electoral system changes to make politics less focused on point-scoring and more focused on solving problems. He previously called for proportional representation in UK general elections, which would increase power for minority parties such as the Greens. In a BBC Radio Manchester interview, he described a politics that is place-first rather than party-first, emphasizing working with others. He did not specify timing or whether he would start the process immediately if he became prime minister. Critics argue proportional representation would create chaotic government, unstable coalitions, and difficulty passing legislation. Burnham linked electoral reform to addressing an over-centralised, London-centric system that sidelines many nations and regions. He also distanced himself from claims about immediately rejoining the EU, reiterating a desire for rejoining in his lifetime.

"Where you can work with others, you do that. I do think there needs to be reform to the electoral system to enable less point-scoring, more problem-solving that's what I think we need. Less short term, more long term. Burnham did not say when he would like to see these changes introduced or whether he would commit to starting the process if he becomes prime minster this year."

"Andy Burnham has said he will back sweeping changes to the electoral system to make politics less point-scoring, more problem-solving if he becomes prime minister. The Greater Manchester mayor has previously called for the introduction of proportional representation for UK general elections, handing more power to minority parties like the Greens."

"One of the parties that would benefit most from electoral reform would be the Greens, which has reportedly considered dialling down its Makerfield campaign if Burnham's team commit to introducing proportional representation. Critics of proportional representation have said it would lead to a more chaotic form of government, likely leading to unstable coalitions and an inability to pass legislation."

"Yet Burnham has long argued that Britain has suffered from an over-centralised, London-centric form of government where two parties dominate at the expense of many of the UK's nations and regions. Burnham also used his BBC Radio Manchester interview to distance himself from claims that he would seek immediately to rejoin the EU. Standing by his previous comments that he would like the UK to rejoin the European bloc in my lifetime, he said: The country has to fix itself and we have to get to the heart of some of these fundamentals that don't work fo"

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