𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Speaking at the launch of his campaign to become the constituency’s MP, Mr Burnham told crowds that he believes that land is currently under-taxed, stating that he wished to introduce a new levy. Whilst pledging to remain true to Labour’s manifesto, which did not include such a tax, Mr Burnham refused to rule the prospect out in a future general election. Asked by The Telegraph whether he felt assets were fairly taxed compared with income, Mr Burnham said: “I think land is under-taxed.

“I look, as mayor, at swathes of Greater Manchester that is land that is held, but there is no charge in terms of redundant land that is not used. I have long been persuaded of the argument for a land value tax.”

An aide for Mr Burnham emphasised that there were no plans to introduce the levy should he become Prime Minister in this parliament.

Speaking to the Telegraph, an aide said: “Andy did not propose any changes to the tax system. He was clear he supports the 2024 Labour manifesto, which commits to a fair taxation system and to upholding fiscal rules.”

Speaking outside a community centre in Ashton-in-Makerfield, he told reporters it was “really important from a trust point of view” to stick to the policy proposals which saw Labour win a landslide in July 2024.

However, he said he had “long been persuaded of the argument for a land value tax”, which could see owners of unused plots of land pay more.

Mr Burnham has discussed plans for a land tax in previous election campaigns, having stood for the leadership twice before, in 2010 and 2015.

In his 2010 bid to replace Gordon Brown, Mr Burnham described stamp duty as a “tax on the aspirations of young people” and said his policy drew on the best of Old Labour and New Labour.

Allies of Mr Burnham have suggested he may not launch a bid for the party leadership immediately if he is successful in his attempt to return to Parliament in the June 18 contest.

In a pitch to voters, Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham said: “I know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we have been.

“A vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour.”

Mr Burnham faces Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon in the by-election, a plumber who said he is “ready to take on the King of the North” in a reference to Mr Burnham’s moniker.

Josh Simons, the Labour MP who stood down to make way for Mr Burnham, won in 2024 by just 5,399 votes, while Reform comfortably won every ward in the constituency at this month’s local elections.