Corbyn calls lack of policy in Labour leadership debate ‘very strange’

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticized the media focus on personality over policy in the potential leadership battle between Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham, calling it "very strange." Corbyn, who defeated Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership contest, said he gets on well with the newly elected Makerfield MP but disagrees with his economic policies, which he described as accepting too much austerity. Corbyn also criticized Burnham's position on Gaza, an issue that has cost Labour support. Meanwhile, Labour peer Charlie Falconer stated that Starmer has "absolutely no authority" because "everybody assumes" Burnham will challenge for the leadership and is likely to win, adding that Starmer could have "at most weeks to go." Jess Phillips, who quit as safeguarding minister last month, said Burnham has "proved his hypothesis" that he could beat Reform in a constituency where many expected Reform to do well. A memo drafted by Starmer's allies, seen by the Guardian, argues that Burnham has not faced real scrutiny and that a true contest would expose him to questions he has not had to answer.

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Sources: The Guardian