Burnham calls on Shadow Cabinet to “raise our game” and support Miliband

In an interview with Total Politics magazine, Andy Burnham has said that it’s time for the Shadow Cabinet to “raise our game” and support Ed Miliband’s leadership.

Speaking in the wake of last month’s leadership speculation, Burnham said:

“It’s never good, but it has galvanised people. The mood of the party is very resolute. People are gearing up now to fight the election.

“These things happen from time to time, but fundamentally we are united and in a pretty strong place. That’s what matters. The mood of 99% of the Parliamentary Labour Party is very united and very positive.”

“I think the time has come for us all to raise our game and support him.

“I don’t make this an issue of the leader, I make this an issue of the team. We all have to really up our game, do more to get heard, get our messages sharper, get them over. I see it that way.

“I see it as an obligation. We’re in the battle now and it’s about fighting every single day.”

Burnham has been talked of as a future party leader (having stood in the 2010 contest where he came fourth), and he’s certainly popular with activists, leading our Shadow Cabinet rankings by a considerable distance. Indeed, Burnham was one name floated by some within the party when Miliband was facing dissent as a possible replacement leader. The Shadow Health Secretary refused to deny that he’d consider standing for leader, saying “I can’t say what life will throw up in the future”, but said that he’s “focused on helping Ed, making Ed the next prime minster and getting back in”.

Update: Worth noting that this interview took place a month ago (when questions about Miliband’s leadership emerged in the press after anonymous briefing), so they should be read in that context.