UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has rejected a partnership with the Green Party over a controversial conference motion on Zionism, declaring that Labour will not support a political arrangement with a party that had adopted the position.
During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Andy Burnham condemned the motion, which described Zionism as racism, after Conservative MP Dame Harriet Baldwin challenged him to clarify whether Labour would consider a future power-sharing agreement with the Greens.
“Can I condemn the motion that was passed unequivocally? It is wrong. It is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it.
“And we will always take the right response when it comes to any partnerships we have with other parties. We cannot support a partnership with a party that holds a position that has recently been adopted.”
Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham also praised Badenoch for challenging Reform UK over comments suggesting that her children were not British.
“That [what Reform said] is wrong in every single respect; she was brave and she was right to call it out, that’s what I want to see more of in the next decade as we go forward,” he said.
Andy Burnham
Immigration, Security and National Care Service Dominate PMQs
Immigration and national security also featured prominently during the parliamentary session, as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage questioned Burnham over irregular migration across the English Channel and potential security threats.
Nigel Farage claimed that young men from Iran were arriving in the UK every week, arguing that some posed a genuine security threat. He asked whether the government should recognise the situation in the Channel as a national security emergency.
Before addressing the substance of the question, the Prime Minister acknowledged threats to Nigel Farage’s safety, stressing that political disagreements should not undermine a politician’s right to speak.
“There’s a lot we disagree on, but I agree with his right to say it,” Burnham stated, adding that he would work to protect Farage and other politicians.
On the security concerns involving Iran, Burnham referred to issues at RAF Fairford, indicating that they had been dealt with by the police and security services.
He also maintained that the government was making progress in reducing small-boat crossings and increasing removals, while acknowledging that further action remained necessary.
“We do need to get boat crossings down; I hope he would recognise that they are coming down. Removals are up. There’s much more to be done, but there’s clearly progress in the right direction.”
Andy Burnham
On the other hand, the session also featured discussion about social care, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey asking when the government would resume cross-party talks on establishing a national care service.
The Liberal Democrat leader recalled Andy Burnham’s earlier admission that his attempt to address the issue in 2009 had come too close to an election, asking whether he maintained that assessment and when the next discussions would take place.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his willingness to acknowledge the mistake, insisting that social care should not become a source of political point-scoring.
“It will be difficult but let’s get on and build this national care service,” he stated.
Prime Minister Seeks to Restore US Support for Ukraine
Foreign policy emerged as another point of contention in Andy Burnham’s exchanges with Ed Davey, who challenged the government over US President Donald Trump’s reported diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Davey described the agreement as a “shameful betrayal” of European security and called on Burnham to offer a similarly direct assessment of Washington’s actions.
The Prime Minister avoided directly criticising the White House, instead emphasising the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement to restore American support for Ukraine.
“What I have to do in my role is to try and repair bridges so support comes back. That is the role I intend to play. It’s the right role.”
Andy Burnham
According to the Prime Minister, he intends to listen closely to Zelensky during the Ukrainian President’s visit to Downing Street and indicated that further British assistance would be forthcoming.
“He won’t be going away from the UK today empty-handed,” the Prime Minister added.
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