BURNHAM URGED TO ADOPT RADICAL ECONOMIC POLICIES TO RETAIN LABOUR MAJORITY

Andy Burnham is being advised to pursue "economic populist" policies to address the cost of living crisis should he become prime minister, according to a detailed opinion poll. Senior figures advising the Makerfield MP have circulated a seat-by-seat survey suggesting Labour's majority could be severely diminished at the next general election, with the party on course to win fewer than 100 seats under its current trajectory. The polling, based on responses from approximately 10,000 voters, indicates that adopting radical policy measures could reverse this outcome and help Labour retain its parliamentary majority.

The Persuasion UK research, conducted using multi-level regression and poststratification methodology, found that Labour running on a platform of "cost of living populism" could secure 34% of the national vote and 358 seats, yielding a majority of 66. Under its current course, the survey suggests Labour could fall to 95 seats from 19% of the vote share—its lowest number of MPs since 1918. Policies road-tested in the poll included rent controls, an affordable energy guarantee, cheap bus fares, expanded free school meals for primary-age children, and equalising tax rates on investors' profits with workers' wages.

Burnham faces competing demands from Labour MPs, union leaders, political advisers and business lobbyists regarding his policy agenda. A Labour source close to Burnham stated his recent speech made clear he would not pursue "business as usual" if he replaces Keir Starmer as expected. The source characterised his instincts as "economically interventionist" and indicated he would act with radicalism to boost growth and living standards.