Politics LIVE: Andy Burnham calls on Left to unite against Reform as PM's rival laments absence of 'big figures'

A rival of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged the Left to unite in combating reform ahead of the forthcoming May local elections and looming 2029 general election.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has expressed concern over the fragmentation between progressive parties — including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru.

A week after Labour's loss in Gorton and Denton to Zack Polanski's Greens, Mr Burnham said the result demonstrated the "depth of the chasm" between Westminster and the public.

He also lamented the absence of "big figures" in Westminster after being blocked from standing in the crunch by-election battle.

Mr Burnham said: "The time has most definitely come for a serious conversation about our political system and its pervading culture, particularly so in the aftermath of the Gorton and Denton by-election.

“This is getting extremely dangerous, and change in our political system and culture is desperately needed".

FOLLOW FOR MORE POLITICS NEWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY BELOW...

Defence Secretary heads to Cyprus as Government make moves in Middle East conflict

Defence Secretary John Healey is reportedly travelling to Cyprus amid the war between Iran and the US.

Mr Healey is expected to arrive on the Mediterranean island later today.

It comes as Britain’s base at RAF Akrotiri has been the target of drone attacks since the war began, prompting the deployment of HMS Dragon from Portsmouth to defend the region.

Ed Miliband 'spearheaded' Labour rebellion to US action in Iran after pushing 'pacifist' case

Ed Miliband is said to have spearheaded Labour's rebellion against US military action in Iran after reportedly pushing a “pacifist” case against Britain’s involvement.

Opposition to British participation in the conflict - including preventing the US from using RAF bases and the joint US-UK facility at Diego Garcia - was backed by Mr Miliband, Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper.

The Energy Secretary allegedly voiced strong objections to the impending US strikes during a National Security Council meeting on Friday, which had been called to discuss the potential impact of the conflict on Britain’s energy supply.

According to The Telegraph, he presented a "petulant, pacifist, legalistic, and very political" case against strikes on Iran and any UK involvement, relying on legal advice from Attorney General Lord Hermer.

READ MORE HERE

Reform takes the fight to Plaid Cymru to claim Wales

Reform UK says it would “put Wales and Welsh communities first” with changes to social housing and the scrapping of foreign aid spending if it wins May’s Senedd election.

The party, led by Nigel Farage, is expected to be one of the main contenders alongside Plaid Cymru in the Welsh parliamentary elections on May 7.

The party will launch its election manifesto in Newport, unveiling a suite of policies, including scrapping the default 20mph speed limit and ending Wales’ status as a Nation of Sanctuary.

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas called the manifesto - which includes a promise to build an M4 relief road - a “blueprint for real change".

“These promises put Wales and Welsh communities first, and unlike the pledges put forward by other parties, these are deliverable,” he said.

“Armed with this blueprint, we have all the building blocks to end a generation of decline here in Wales".

**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **