Burnham Slams Starmer As Labour Splits Dominate First Day Of Party Conference

<div><img src="https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/68d96ca114000080425c63c3.jpg?ops=scalefit_630_noupscale" alt="Andy Burnham speaks at a fringe event on renewing Britain's democracy during the Labour conference in Liverpool." data-caption="Andy Burnham speaks at a fringe event on renewing Britain's democracy during the Labour conference in Liverpool." data-credit-link-back="" data-credit="Dan Kitwood via Getty Images" />Andy Burnham speaks at a fringe event on renewing Britain's democracy during the Labour conference in Liverpool.</div><div class="content-list-component text"><p><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/andy-burnham/">Andy Burnham </a>launched an outspoken attack on <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer/">Keir Starmer’s</a> leadership as party splits dominated the first day of <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/labour-party/">Labour’s </a>conference in Liverpool.</p><p>The Manchester mayor accused the prime minister of creating a “climate of fear” as he called for the party to change direction before crucial elections in Scotland, Wales and across England next May.</p><p>Burnham made his comments as he spoke at a series of fringe meetings at Labour’s annual gathering.</p><p>It came amid mounting speculation that he is seeking a return to Westminster so he can make a bid to oust Starmer from No.10.</p><p>He said: “I’ve been accused of all things in the last week, as you can probably see. I’ve done nothing more than launch a debate.</p><p>“And what I would say to those who say that I’m speaking out purely for my own ambition, I can say to you all tonight I am speaking out for the thousands of councillors here at this conference who are worried about going to those doorsteps next May,