Andy Burnham plays down divisions with Keir Starmer over Gaza ceasefire as he says leader ‘needs space’

Andy Burnham has played down claims of division within the Labour Party over its position on the Israel-Hamas war.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester is among the highest-profile Labour figures to have called for a ceasefire, in contrast to the party leader Sir Keir Starmer whose preference is for “humanitarian pauses” to allow essential aid to civilians.

Sir Keir also incensed Muslims within the Labour Party with comments earlier in the conflict which appeared to endorse Israel’s plans to block food, aid and water from Gaza.

The Labour leaders of Burnley and Pendle Councils have called for him to resign.

Dozens of Labour MPs are also pushing for a ceasefire, including some within the shadow cabinet.

With Sir Keir struggling to keep discipline within the party on the issue, Mr Burnham was asked if he was being disloyal.

“No, not at all,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“I would point to the fact that the statement issued by myself, the deputy mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, all [Manchester] leaders on a cross-party basis, it was a careful, considered statement that sought to reflect the views of our communities here in the city region and come to an approach which we think is the right approach.

“Of course we abhor the terrorist attacks of 7 October, we recognise Israel’s right to take targeted action against Hamas. Our concern was with the widespread bombing causing such huge number of casualties — that was the point that we have made.

“Keir, in his speech earlier this week, I think made many similar points so I don’t think the difference between us is too great. And this issue cannot become all about the Labour Party.

“These are really difficult judgments that everybody is trying to make and I think Keir, the shadow cabinet, the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) needs to be given the space to come to those judgments.”

Speaking to reporters in the North East this week, Starmer also sought to play down the division.

“I understand why people feel very strongly about this, not just in the Labour Party, I think, in all political parties and across the country,” he said.

“This isn’t about the particular position taken by individuals within the Labour Party. It is about alleviating that suffering. And just at the moment we desperately need humanitarian aid to get in faster into Gaza.”

He added: “My focus is on alleviating the awful suffering of all of those caught up in the situation that has developed over the last few weeks, whatever the individual positions of members of my party. That is not my focus.”

The row has dogged Sir Keir for days, with the Labour leader facing repeated questions from reporters about his position on the conflict during an event intended to highlight the party’s plans on business, building and jobs.

He rejected suggestions that there is “great division” in Labour over the issue, which has seen sixteen frontbenchers now either having called for a ceasefire or shared others’ calls backing a ceasefire on social media.

The list includes Yasmin Qureshi, Jess Phillips and Imran Hussain.

Ms Phillips on Thursday warned that Israel’s military action against Hamas will only end in “death and destruction” and called for the negotiation of “peaceful political solutions”.

Sir Keir insisted that collective responsibility remains “important”, but declined to say whether frontbenchers would face being sacked for breaking with the leadership’s position.

He said previously: “It’s my job as leader of the party to assess how we enforce and bring about collective responsibility and I will do so.

“But I’ve set out my position clearly. I am not doing so in accordance with particular views that individual members of the Labour Party may or may not take, that is not my central objective, and I do not think it should be the priority.”