Andy Burnham warned that 'Manchesterism' risks losing rural seats
Labour MPs have voiced fears that Andy Burnham's 'Manchesterism' agenda could end up alienating voters in rural seats and less wealthy southern constituencies.
A private meeting of Labour MPs last night with the environment secretary was used to voice fears that Mr Burnham risks shedding support in non-urban areas across the country with his policies and rhetoric.
One Labour MP warned the incoming Prime Minister that 'there is stuff north of Manchester, including an entire country [Scotland]', while another called on the Makerfield MP not to divide the country into a simple north-south split.
They argued that rural communities in the North have more in common with rural communities in the South than they do with cities such as Manchester, so a blanket approach to north versus south 'doesn't work and could hurt rural communities'.
Speaking on the BBC today, Kent MP Naushabah Khan publicly called on Mr Burnham to show an understanding of poverty in the south east, which can be just as great as that in 'former mining towns in the North'.
She warned: 'I'd be really keen to see how Andy in the next few weeks sets out his stall for the wider country.'
Asked if she is worried they might get overlooked because of Mr Burnham's focus on the north, Ms Khan replied: 'It's certainly something that's said about him isn't it.'
Another rural Labour MP told the Mail that Mr Burnham 'doesn't strike me as someone who's that interested' in countryside affairs, adding that the next Prime Minister 'has got a problem' if he 'lacks anyone around him who understands farming and rural communities'.
Labour MPs in rural areas are concerned that Andy Burnham's 'Manchesterism' vision overlooks their constituencies
Another Labour MP today called on Mr Burnham to set out his stall for the whole country, as she warned her Kent seat faces terrible poverty like the north
The Daily Mail can also reveal that several rural Labour MPs have been lobbying Mr Burnham to retain Emma Reynolds as Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary when forming his first cabinet.
Ms Reynolds backed Mr Burnham for leader early-on following his Makerfield victory, branding him a 'fantastic communicator' who will provide a 'different and compelling story'.
One prominent rural MP argued: 'The industry needs consistency and she's been doing a good job'.
It is understood that she is keen to stay in the role having felt she has built a strong relationship with farmers following rows over planned hikes to inheritance tax.
During the Makerfield by-election, Mr Burnham told the Telegraph that he would 'look again' at inheritance tax rates on farmers if he were to become Prime Minister, without setting out where funding for the tax cut would come from.
He added: 'I personally have heard from farmers. I met the National Farmers Union here in the North West shortly after it was introduced. And yeah, I think that does need looking at again.'
But his right-hand woman organising his leadership campaign and plans for government, Louise Haigh, vocally backed Rachel Reeves' tax grab off farmers while serving in Government as Transport Secretary.
Rural Labour MPs are lobbying Mr Burnham to keep Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds in post
The Countryside Alliance has warned Mr Burnham not to repeat the same mistakes of Keir Statmer's government, which shed rural support over its Family Farms Tax
Ms Haigh insisted that the Family Farms Tax was 'fair and proportionate', adding: 'None of us came into power to levy taxes on farmers'.
The Countryside Alliance's Mo Metcalf-Fisher warned that Mr Burnham must avoid 'repeating the mistakes' of Keir Starmer's government, which shed support in rural constituencies over the Family Farms Tax and crackdowns on shooting.
He added: 'The countryside is not a sideshow, and a new Prime Minister needs to be as committed to rural communities as he clearly is to urban ones. Before the last general election, Keir Starmer pledged to renew the bond of respect between the countryside and government. He took power off the back of rural votes, gaining over 100 MPs representing rural constituencies.
'Sadly he prioritised taxing farmers and rural businesses, as well as pursuing a toxic culture war on rural people with a ban on trail hunting and attacks on game shooting. Like many that live and work in the countryside, rural Labour MPs are hoping for a fundamental reset in relations.
'Andy Burnham has the opportunity to do that, but it will start with recognising the huge value the countryside has to offer, not repeating the mistakes of the past.'
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
