‘We will get stuff done’: Burnham seeks to banish ghosts of Starmerism at Labour conference

The PM returns to Liverpool, where he was mocked last year, with a promise that no one will be left wondering what he’s trying to do

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Andy Burnham was not even in the audience for the prime minister’s speech at the Labour party conference this time last year. As Keir Starmer made the case for continuity to his restive party, Burnham was spotted slipping out over the bridge towards Liverpool’s Albert Dock.

The Manchester mayor had been vying for the spotlight throughout the party’s annual gathering, presenting the argument for change. But even he could not have envisaged the schism that would take place in the ensuing 12 months and would put him on the main stage as prime minister at this year’s conference, beginning in Merseyside on Sunday.