Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield and a “prime minister-in-waiting” expected to take over next week, says Labour “didn’t get it right” in its initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza. He apologises for the party’s stance and says Labour needs to “do better” under his leadership, framing the comments as part of an effort to win back voters who left the party over its approach to Gaza.
Burnham also signals a shift in the UK’s policy toward the Middle East. According to reporting, he says he will increase pressure on the Israeli government, including through additional sanctions targeting individuals and entities. He further suggests the UK could consider banning trade in goods connected to illegal Israeli settlements.
While he describes the suffering in Gaza in stark terms, some outlets note he stops short of calling Israel’s actions genocide. Across coverage, the core points are his apology for Labour’s earlier position, his claim that policy must change, and his indication that the UK would apply stronger economic and sanctions-based measures.
