By Richard Burden & Phyllis Starkey
Originally published by Labour List, July 5, 2026
“Good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart”. Nobody could deny the boldness of the ambition that Andy Burnham set out on Monday. Nothing less than a rewired and more equal economy founded on devolution of power and grounded in a new sense of purpose built on values held in common; a belief that everyone has the right to a decent future, irrespective of where they come from.
At a time of deep disillusion with politics and politicians, many people will have found it refreshing to see a politician who is prepared to tell it how it is and, above all, who seems to be someone who stands for something.
Andy has the opportunity to build a renewed sense of trust in politics in general and Labour in particular.
Most of that trust will, of course, need to be earned through the delivery of Andy’s ambitious domestic agenda. But there is also an international issue that has become a touchstone for whether or not people believe that the values politicians proclaim are consistent; that they possess the kind of moral compass that is a perquisite for public trust. That issue is Gaza.
In a powerful contribution to LabourList two weeks ago, Muddassar Ahmed evidenced the depth and breadth of demands amongst Labour members for concrete action by Minsters to demonstrate that UK policy towards Israel and Palestine amounts to more than hand-wringing.
It’s not only Labour members demanding a reset of the government’s approach either. A recent YouGov poll found that 6 in 10 people across the country oppose Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza and people see double standards in the contrast between UK’s willingness to impose sanctions and other measures on Russia over its illegal actions Ukraine and what often appears a kid gloves approach to actions by Israel that are equally illegal.
Public anger over Gaza cost Labour Parliamentary seats two years ago and council seats in May this year. There is no sign that this anger has subsided since then.
For many people, the extent to which Andy Burnham is prepared to reset UK policy towards Israel and Palestine will be an important test of how far he can be trusted on issues much closer to home if he becomes Prime Minister.
