𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Voters are deeply concerned about immigration. And a sense that Labour (and the last Conservative Government) failed to control who comes into our country has helped drive support for Reform and Nigel Farage. But on the evidence of his long-awaited speech in Manchester, Andy Burnham has no interest in the subject.

There’s a lot of speculation about who Andy Burnham will name as his Chancellor once he becomes Prime Minister, which seems certain to happen within weeks. He’s thought to be considering handing the role to Ed Miliband, the Net Zero Secretary, which would be a deeply unpopular move. Some Labour MPs fear Mr Miliband’s commitment to “net zero” policies helps explain why Sir Keir Starmer’s Government became so unpopular. They also blame Mr Miliband for allowing Jeremy Corbyn to become Labour leader, ushering in what they see as Labour’s darkest period, and they still haven’t forgiven him.

But there is another job in Government that’s just as important. This is the role of Home Secretary.

One of the biggest challenges facing the UK Government at the moment is how to stop the arrival of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

Then there’s the question of what to do with the people who arrive, particularly if they claim they are fleeing persecution. Should they have a chance to make their case to Home Office officials, or to a court? If so, where will they live while they wait for a decision?

And what about legal immigration? There were 813,000 legal long-term migrants to the UK in 2025 (ie, people who intend to stay). That’s down from almost 1.5 million in 2023, but is it still too high? And what happens when all these people become eligible for “indefinite leave to remain”, which allows them to claim benefits and use the NHS in more or less the same way as UK citizens?

The current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has some pretty bold answers.

She is making asylum status temporary, so that even if you are granted asylum, you can be told to leave 30 months later if your home country is now deemed to be safe.

And she wants legal immigrants to wait twice as long before they can claim indefinite leave to remain.

Many Labour MPs are furious with her. They bitterly oppose the plans.

Where does Mr Burnham stand? Nobody knows.

The former Greater Manchester mayor delivered a speech this morning setting out some of his plans for Government. And he spoke in detail about the economy, but said nothing about immigration.

In fact, he used the words “Manchester” or “Manchesterism” ten times – but didn’t mention immigration once.

There are all sorts of rumours about Mr Burnham’s plans. Some people think he might sack Ms Mahmood. Others think he might make her Chancellor.

And there are reports Mr Burnham will demand she water down her proposals if she wants to keep her job.

But all he would say today is this: “While the political direction I set is not up for negotiation, I will build an inclusive team at the very highest level so that all parts of the party – and the country – can see themselves reflected and represented in it.

“And, may I say, I will not announce those decisions on appointments – certainly not today – and indeed not until the end of this process so, until then, feel free to discount the wild speculation in circulation.”

Unless he has some answers soon on one of the biggest issues facing the UK today, Mr Farage will continue to run rings around Labour.