Andy Burnham Sparks Internal Labour Fury Over Progressive Alliance Event Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham faces backlash from Labour MPs after agreeing to participate in a cross-party conference alongside the Green Party during a sensitive election period. Tensions have reached a boiling point within the Labour Party as several Members of Parliament have expressed their outrage toward Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. The controversy stems from Mr. Burnham's decision to participate in a high-profile conference aimed at mobilising a progressive majority, an event where he will share a platform with representatives from the Green Party, including former leader Caroline Lucas. This decision comes at a particularly sensitive time, occurring just weeks after intense local elections where the Green Party has emerged as a significant threat to Labour's traditional dominance in several key urban areas.The backlash from within his own party is fierce, with many MPs viewing the move as a betrayal of the candidates who fought hard against Green incursions in their own constituencies. The political landscape in London has become a primary battleground for this conflict. The Green Party is expected to make significant inroads into what were once considered untouchable Labour strongholds, with predicted victories in areas such as Hackney, Lewisham, Lambeth, and Waltham Forest.Perhaps most damagingly for the current party leadership, there are signs that the Greens could make gains in Camden, which is the home borough of Sir Keir Starmer. Other heartlands like Greenwich and Southwark are also under threat. While the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, has seen a slight dip in polling following allegations of anti-Semitic comments made by some candidates, they remain a potent force.Labour MPs argue that by appearing alongside these rivals, Andy Burnham is effectively giving voters a green light to abandon Labour in favor of the Greens, suggesting that a more left-wing version of the party is more closely aligned with the Green Party than the current leadership under Sir Keir Starmer. Internal critics have been scathing in their assessment of Mr. Burnham's motives.Some MPs have claimed that the Mayor is simply chasing the media attention he craves, while others have attacked his political record. One critic pointed out that during his time as a Member of Parliament and a minister under Tony Blair, he did little to address the issue of antisemitism, accusing him of pretending to be a man of the left while serving a centrist administration.These critics view his current alignment with the Greens as an unprincipled strategic move rather than a genuine ideological shift. This internal strife is further complicated by the broader leadership struggle within the party. Following a disappointing performance in the local elections, Sir Keir Starmer is facing increased pressure from within his own ranks.Andy Burnham is widely regarded as one of the most likely contenders to challenge for the leadership, despite previous efforts by the Prime Minister to limit his political movements, such as blocking him from standing in a recent by-election. The event itself, organized by the left-wing group Compass and the Progressive Economic Forum, is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in London.The goal of the gathering is to determine how to transform the country's progressive majority into actual political power through debate and deliberation. The speaker list is eclectic, featuring figures from Labour, the Greens, and the Liberal Democrats. Notable attendees include Clive Lewis, a left-wing Labour MP who has previously suggested he would step aside to make room for Mr. Burnham, as well as communities minister Miatta Fahnbulleh and former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable.Neal Lawson, the founder of Compass and a staunch supporter of Burnham, has long advocated for a cross-party progressive alliance. In response to the outcry, a source close to the Mayor insisted that Andy is not supporting other parties but is instead advancing progressive ideas that will ultimately help the Labour Party.The source questioned why anyone would oppose the sharing of ideas or the debate of progressive policies in a democratic society, yet the damage among his disgruntled colleagues appears to be significant