Andy Burnham accused of 'abandoning' Makerfield constituents as locals claim he 'lied to everybody'

Andy Burnham has lied to the people of Makerfield and abandoned his constituents after becoming Prime Minister, a local resident has told GB News.

Britain's News Channel has been on the ground in the North West constituency, speaking to locals and asking whether they feel Andy Burnham is delivering as Prime Minister and as their MP.

Back in June of this year, Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with a resounding 54.9 per cent of the vote, beating second-place Reform candidate, Robert Kenyon, by more than nine thousand votes.

After becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham, who promised voters in his Leave-voting seat of Makerfield that he would not reopen the Brexit debate, confirmed he would consider applying for Britain to join the Brussels bloc, sparking backlash from voters and opposition parties.

Many residents have now raised concerns that he was just using the Makerfield seat as a "stepping stone" to try and make a move for the job of then-Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

Speaking to GB News on the day of the Budget, one man said: "He’s just making things up all the while. He’s trying to take us back into Europe, and I don’t want that. I don’t believe a word he says no more.”

Another was concerned about the bigger picture, and what that means for people in Makerfield, saying: "He’s lied to everybody hasn’t he, just to get voted in. And then he’s just abandoned us, really. So, there’s a lot of debate in the pubs and what have you.

"Some people locally are saying it’s great to have a Prime Minister here - he’s going to look after us locally. But on the bigger picture, I don’t think they seem to get it. It’s just a nightmare, isn’t it."

The owner of a local butcher shop, Peter Cain, sympathised with this Prime Minister and the recent loss of his father.

He said: "Everybody forgets that he’s just lost his dad. His level of commitment and professionalism with what he’s doing has been amazing.

"It’s second to none. He’s not asked for any time off, he’s here for Makerfield and he’s here for the country. I don’t think we could have a better Prime Minister.”

Speaking on the Budget, Mr Cain did have some words for the Chancellor, however, stating that he’d welcome cheaper energy and the removal of VAT for businesses.

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He added: "Give more money back to people in the public. We’re all under the cost of living, so it would be nice if we could all have a few more pennies in our pocket!"

Elsewhere, on the streets of Makerfield, members of the public gave their reactions when asked whether Andy Burnham is delivering both in their constituency and for the UK.

One young man told GB News: "From what I’ve seen so far, I think he is. It’s still early days though… I was a bit against Labour with Starmer, but I have every confidence in Burnham."

Another resident was unwavering in her support for Andy Burnham, telling GB News she’s "always liked him."

When asked if she would vote for him again, she simply replied: "Oh yes, definitely!"

Before the Budget, the Prime Minister faced PMQs this afternoon, where he told Parliament the Chancellor would deliver a plan to "get growth going" in his Budget.

He was met with heavy jeering in the chamber, and the leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, put it to him that it sounded as if he "didn’t know" whether he wanted another EU referendum.

She added: "It is the Chancellor’s big week, and the Prime Minister popped up on telly; opened his mouth without engaging his brain, and not for the first time."