Burnham: Leadership election rules unfair
by Peter Wozniak
The rules governing how the next Labour leader will be elected favour those perceived as the frontrunner, outsider Andy Burnham has argued.
Calling for a review of Labour’s complex election procedures, the shadow health secretary argued that the outcome will be influenced by big donations, rather than the true level of support for a candidate.
He argued that the current system held back outsiders, and suggested that the requirement for a contender to receive the nominations of 12% of the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) discriminates against less well-known candidates and should be revised.
Mr Burnham stressed that he had no desire to change the process of the current election, and said he would support the winner wholeheartedly, adding that he merely wished to see the rules reviewed for future elections.
Mr Burnham’s comments do not amount to an admittance of defeat, but given his outsider status, it may be that the shadow health secretary is attempting to criticise the system that has seen him trail in the campaign whilst still leaving the option open for a shadow cabinet position under the new leader.
The election result will be announced on September 25th, on the eve of Labour’s conference, with the two Milibands fighting a close-fought race.
The second preferences of Mr Burnham’s supporters may prove critical in deciding which brother prevails, and may benefit Ed Miliband, as both candidates have positioned themselves on the left during the contest.
The shadow health secretary has struggled to get media attention in his campaign, and failed to strike a chord with his core message of ‘aspirational socialism’.
Mr Burnham will, however, get a final chance to improve his position in hustings at the TUC conference currently taking place in Manchester.
