Labour conference erupts over immigration policy and internal rifts as Burnham faces criticism

The Labour conference in Liverpool turned contentious as Andy Burnham grappled with internal disagreements over immigration and broader policy direction. Angela Rayner defended a hard-line stance on residency rules, labeling the Home Secretary’s proposals as "un-British" and urging a national conversation on the issue. Critics from the party’s left, including Clive Lewis and Neal Lawson, claimed Burnham had deserted their agenda, dropping wealth-tax, rent-control and nationalisation pledges.

Burnham reiterated his commitment to social-care reform, citing personal motivation after his father’s death. Chancellor John Healey, facing pressure from rising fuel prices and public-finance concerns, said he might reconsider the upcoming fuel-duty hike and hinted at a possible capital-gains-tax rise ahead of the October budget. The disputes highlight growing factional tension within Labour as it seeks to balance policy ambition with fiscal constraints.