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Andy Burnham and the politics of 'good vibes'
Labour Party supporters have reasons to feel optimistic. The party has experienced something of a resurgence, whilst Nigel Farage’s floundering Reform UK has slipped to third place in recent polling. Labour’s revival is seemingly spearheaded by one man – Andy Burnham. In a move initially questioned as careerist and opportunistic, Burnham’s seizure of power represents something of a defibrillator shock to progressive British politics. Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election in June seems to have signalled a wider ‘vibe’ shift in the fortunes of both the Labour Party and Reform UK.
An emotional Burnham spoke at the Labour Party conference earlier this week, projecting a message of hope with progressive policies that have been awaited for a long time. The Prime Minister pledged electoral reform, a housing revolution, and suggested ending the highly controversial pension triple-lock. Burnham’s speech at the Labour conference was energetic, powerful and convincing. Burnham’s style appears to be the polar opposite to that of Keir Starmer: hopeful, relatable and charismatic. Most of all, however, Burnham appears believable. A genuinely passionate, powerful speaker who commands a stage rather than a courtroom. Burnham has weaponised the politics of ‘vibes.’ In an age where ‘Britain-bashing’ has snuck onto all our social media feeds, and pessimism surrounding the state of the UK is at an all-time high, Burnham is certainly angling for a vibe shift in British politics, declaring he wishes to end “doomscrolling on posts running Britain down.”
It feels almost cliché to suggest this will be harder than it seems. With both Burnham and Farage identifying the pessimistic mood in Britain, it is becoming apparent that the defining political battle over the remainder of this government will be one of two competing remedies. Where Farage appears to benefit from the image of a declining Britain, Burnham must portray a new progressive optimism, one that has been noticeably absent in British politics for some time.
For Burnham, the Labour conference came at the perfect time. Reform UK is embroiled in scandal following an undercover investigation into their backroom deals, and questions are being asked about their finances. Meanwhile, the Green Party has suffered following Burnham’s first few weeks as PM. An internal struggle ensued between Zack Polanski and the Holborn constituency Green Party over who was to stand in the upcoming by-election to fill Keir Starmer’s Westminster seat. Polanski is the candidate, but a deep split in the party was made evident. The Conservative Party are in an interesting position meanwhile – highly unlikely to return to power at the next election owing to its recent history, but Kemi Badenoch has seemingly steadied a sinking ship and must now weather the stormy seas of opposition. To maintain his polling advantage, Burnham must continue to preach progressive optimism, and to paint Nigel Farage as an untrustworthy snake-oil salesman who feeds on the idea of a failing Britain. The Prime Minister has reason to hope that Farage will create this image unaided, but a counter-vision is crucial. With pledges to forge a closer relationship with the European Union, Burnham is signalling perhaps the most effective route to countering Farage, using his self-professed greatest achievement—Brexit—against him. In addition to facing Farage, Burnham must position himself as the primary arbiter of progressive politics, sidelining a Green Party that until recently was chipping away at Labour’s younger and progressive voters.
The Labour Party conference of 2026 could mark a turning point in the nation’s recent history. Or it could become a window into a Britain that could have been, a moment where its fortunes could have turned around. That is why Burnham must continue to portray himself as progressive and personable. Perhaps the most memorable and powerful moment of the entire conference came when Burnham evoked the memory of his father.
Post-2016 politics have revealed the power of personalities over policies. In a world of Trump, Macron, Zelenskyy and Meloni, recent years have taught us that the politicians with the most political capital and longevity are those who command a following; those who seem personable. Burnham is making significant strides into entering that political pedigree, and in doing so has differentiated himself from Starmer—a far more reserved character.
Burnham has entered the political stage with a bang, but the truest test of his premiership will be whether he can keep it up. The sell-by date on politicians is significantly shorter than it used to be, and it will not be long before the ‘Burnham bounce’ is affected by cost-of-living pressures and a public with ever-diminishing patience, but a high appetite for change. Ultimately, the Prime Minister shouldn’t be the ‘least bad’ option—a campaign that got Starmer elected but could not keep him in power. Burnham must become the man with a positive vision for change; a man who can revitalise the politics of ‘good vibes.’
The danger for Burnham is that good vibes have a remarkably short half-life. Optimism can win a conference hall; it is considerably harder to sustain when household bills remain high, public services struggle, and the Treasury demands difficult choices. Eventually, hope has to be delivered. Whilst Burnham may have rediscovered the politics of hope and optimism, the wider question is whether that optimism can withstand the turbulence of governance.
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