Top Andy Burnham Ally Launches Fierce Critique of Starmer Ahead of Labour Conference

Published: 23 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Online

On the eve of the Labour Party’s annual conference, one of Andy Burnham’s closest allies delivered a sharp rebuke of Sir Keir Starmer, accusing the party leadership of overseeing internal “rot” and abandoning core Labour values. Sacha Lord, a former donor and Greater Manchester’s night-time economy adviser under Burnham for seven years, confirmed that he would be absent from this year’s conference, marking the first time he has missed the gathering since joining the party in 2022.

In an extensive interview, Lord expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current direction of Labour, particularly criticising what he described as “poor decisions being made from the top.” He warned that the party’s mismanagement could result in significant job losses for Labour councillors ahead of local elections next May, citing the fallout from last year’s budget as a key factor.

Lord, who founded the Parklife festival and runs Manchester’s Warehouse Project nightclub, directly targeted Rachel Reeves’ 2024 Budget, describing it as “disastrous” for the hospitality sector. He pointed to widespread closures among pubs, restaurants, hotels, and bars, estimating that over 110,000 jobs had been affected. “I do not have faith in the current leadership, which has recently shown a lack of both judgment and loyalty,” he said, lamenting the centralisation of cabinet power in London and the perceived neglect of regional interests, despite earlier promises of devolution and empowerment outside the capital.

His intervention comes amid mounting speculation that Burnham himself may be considering a return to Westminster with an eye on the Labour leadership. The Manchester mayor has consistently been seen as a potential challenger to Starmer, enjoying support from high-profile figures such as Lucy Powell, the frontrunner for deputy leadership, and cabinet ministers including culture secretary Lisa Nandy. Party insiders suggest that Lord might resume his financial backing of Labour if Burnham were to replace Starmer as leader.

Lord framed his critique as a response to what he sees as the party’s failure to support business and regional growth, asserting that the government’s policies had sidelined key sectors of the economy. “The UK’s fifth-largest sector, hospitality, has been recklessly overlooked,” he said. “National insurance increases and poorly conceived budget decisions have created unnecessary hardship and risk for hardworking councillors and local businesses alike.”

The timing of Lord’s comments coincides with a challenging period for the Prime Minister. Recent controversies have included the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over a tax scandal and the high-profile dismissal of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, just a day after defending him during parliamentary questioning over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Labour’s polling figures remain a concern, with the party reportedly trailing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK by 14 points and currently holding just 18 percent in public support, nearly half of its vote share at last year’s general election.

Starmer is expected to use the conference to rally party members and MPs behind a renewed message, described as a “patriotic call for national renewal.” However, the leadership is likely to face further scrutiny from disgruntled MPs over issues including economic management, foreign policy, and welfare policy, particularly the two-child benefit cap.

A spokesperson for Labour defended the government’s record, emphasising that urgent action was required to stabilise the economy following years of Conservative decline, including the upheaval caused by Liz Truss’ mini-budget. “Under Keir Starmer’s leadership, wages are rising faster than prices, interest rates have been cut five times, and three major trade deals have been secured,” the spokesperson said. “Since Labour came into power, over half a million people have returned to work. We are focused on putting more money into the pockets of working people and addressing long-standing economic challenges.”

Despite internal tensions, Starmer’s team is aiming to use the conference to project unity and reinvigorate grassroots support. Yet the public critique from Lord underscores ongoing frustrations among certain factions within the party, reflecting a broader debate over Labour’s direction, its engagement with regional concerns, and the balance between traditional values and modern governance priorities.

Observers note that the unfolding dynamics between Burnham allies and the party leadership could shape internal discussions and leadership contests in the months ahead. For now, the conference presents a critical opportunity for Starmer to address dissent, reaffirm his agenda, and attempt to consolidate support in the face of mounting political and public scrutiny.