Former Andy Burnham adviser mulls Labour-Green cooperation after Brighton conference
Kevin McKeever, a former adviser to Andy Burnham, said a post-election partnership between Labour and the Green Party could be considered to block a Reform UK government.
Kevin McKeever, who previously advised Andy Burnham during the Makerfield by-election, attended the Green Party's conference in Brighton and discussed the prospect of Labour collaborating with the Greens. He clarified that his presence was not a party switch but an effort to hear alternative positions. McKeever argued that Labour's primary goal should be securing a parliamentary majority, yet he left open the possibility of post-election cooperation to stop a Reform UK government.
When asked about talks with the Liberal Democrats, he affirmed that such discussions were likely. He also addressed concerns about the Greens' stance on women's rights, noting ongoing dialogue across the political spectrum. The comments came amid broader speculation about potential alliances in a fragmented parliament.
Why it matters
The remarks hint at possible cross-party deals that could shape the next UK government formation.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Richard Tice condemns Chinese imports while Reform UK merch made in China is on sale
- Sep 4 National Rally leader Jordan Bardella delivered an English speech at Reform UK’s gathering, emphasizing tighter ties with the British party and joint immigration control.
- Sep 4 Reform UK invited Bardella to speak at its Birmingham conference.
- Sep 6 West Midlands Police have issued a call for the protester to come forward to assist their inquiry.
- Sep 7 The memorandum was signed, moving the idea from conference discussion to a formal agreement.
- Sep 18 Liberal Democrat members say the party has stalled since its 2024 election surge and aim to adopt a more aggressive tone at this weekend’s conference.
- Sep 22 YouGov's latest seat-by-seat model indicates Reform UK would secure just 123 seats if a general election were called today, a sharp drop from a similar poll a year ago. Labour is forecast to lead with 241 seats, followed by the Conservatives at 130, while the Liberal Democrats hold steady at 71. The results point to the first hung parliament since the 2010 coalition. Reform also appears to be losing its high-profile MPs Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman back to the Conservatives. The party's decline follows recent scandals involving alleged off-the-books polling and the suspension of aides Dan Jukes and James Orr, prompting a Met Police investigation.
- Sep 25 A new YouGov poll shows Reform UK level with the Conservatives and behind Labour.
- Sep 27 The party has moved from internal frustration to publicly unveiling a health‑and‑economy platform at its conference.
- Sep 28 Lee Anderson announced a “whip round” to raise funds for the woman struck with a walking stick.
- Sep 30 The new “tough love” policy requires unemployed young people who can work to attend job centres every day and take part in work experience, training or community projects to qualify for a “Get to Work allowance”. After six months without employment, the allowance falls to a subsistence level at 70 % of the previous claim, and those who refuse to join receive no support. Critics, including Amnesty International and the Trussell Trust, argue the measures ignore the difficulties faced by impoverished youth and repeat austerity-era harms. The proposal arrives ahead of the Conservative conference in Birmingham, where youth unemployment remains a prominent issue. A review by former Labour minister Alan Milburn is due later this year.
- Oct 4 The proposal now includes a subsistence allowance at 70 % of the standard Universal Credit rate after six months.
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