Corbyn criticizes lack of policy in Labour leadership debate
6 reported
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he found the debate on a potential leadership battle between Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham "very strange" because it focused on personality rather than policy. Corbyn, who beat Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership contest, told Sky News that no stage of the media coverage includes policy debate. He said he gets on well with Burnham, the newly elected Makerfield MP, but disagrees with his economic policies, which Corbyn described as accepting too much austerity. Corbyn also criticized Burnham's position on Gaza, an issue he said has cost Labour support among some voters. He stated that if there is to be change, there must be significant policy changes, and that Burnham needs to offer something different. The article also reports that a pro-Starmer memo circulating among loyalist MPs argues Burnham has not faced real scrutiny and that a contest could see his support wane.
What’s reported
Jeremy Corbyn said the leadership debate focused on personality, not policy, which he found "very strange."
Corbyn beat Andy Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership contest.
Corbyn disagrees with Burnham's economic policies, saying they accept too much austerity.
Corbyn criticized Burnham's position on Gaza, saying it has cost Labour support.
A pro-Starmer memo seen by the Guardian argues Burnham has not faced real scrutiny and that a contest could see his support drop.
The article is based on a single source, The Guardian.
Key figures
Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour leader
Andy Burnham, newly elected Makerfield MP
Keir Starmer, prime minister and Labour leader
Sources: The Guardian
