Andy Burnham has made a commitment to win the next election, in a bid to convince those wavering between voting for him and Jeremy Corbyn. The leadership contender has also this morning hit out at David Cameron over the Tories’ claims to be introducing a living wage, and said that he will fight for a “true living wage” of £11 an hour.
In a piece for today’s Independent, Burnham writes that he believes the leadership contest is now a “straight choice” between himself and Jeremy Corbyn, and aims his pitch squarely at those “who are thinking of voting for Jeremy, or who are still undecided”. Burnham says that it is “no wonder people think we’re all the same when they can’t see the difference between us and the Tories on key issues like education and social security”.
He lays out five commitments, which include opposing the extension of right to buy, the Welfare Bill, education reforms and new anti-trade union legislation. For his fifth commitment, he says “I will win the 2020 election general election.”
Burnham also promised to fight for a living wage of £11 this morning. The Shadow Health Secretary was reacting to David Cameron’s article in this morning’s Times, where he announced he will highly increase the level of fines given to businesses failing to pay the minimum wage.
“They must think again. As Labour leader, I will fight for a true living wage, available to all regardless of age, linked to the real cost of living and set around £11 nationally and £12 in London.”
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