Unite behind me or lose, Burnham told Labour. Let’s see how long it lasts

Andy Burnham talked about the biggest change moment in 40 years of British politics and ending factionalism in the Labour Party. As he formally accepted the Labour leadership, his message to his party boiled down to this: be loyal to me and we can win the next election. In his address, we learned more of the contours of Burnham’s plans but precious little about new policy. He promised devolution, reindustrialisation and more public ownership. As is traditional with Labour’s Politburo approach, there was a warm-up for the warm-up, speeches from Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell and National Secretary Hollie Ridley. And they were before Shabana Mahmood as chair of the National Executive Committee stood up to announce what everyone in the room already knew. It’s…. Andy. Powell, Labour’s depu