Andy Burnham’s dig at flag-waving patriots, Labour’s Brexit civil war and three other things GB News saw in Liverpool

"Andy, Andy, Andy," came the cries as the Prime Minister took to the stage at a fringe reception for Metro Mayors.

Andy Burnham undeniably won over the thousands of Labour members gathered in Liverpool.

However, one of the Prime Minister's comments will likely raise eyebrows among those in this country with a deep-rooted sense of patriotic pride.

In a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Roy, the King of the North took a veiled swipe at Britons hoisting flags on lampposts across the country.

He was crediting his father for showing "quiet patriotism", thanking Roy for his influence ahead of his speech.

However, the Prime Minister went further by distinguishing it from recent events.

He added: "It's not the flag-waving kind…but people sticking together from the bottom up."

This is not the first time Mr Burnham has ruffled the feathers of those wanting to display their patriotic pride.

After the flag of St George was emblazoned on junctions in Sale in 2025, the then-Greater Manchester Mayor claimed public displays were "seeking confrontation".

He added: "We should all just chill out a little bit more, enjoy Oasis, enjoy the summer."

As Prime Minister, Mr Burnham is now considering whether to drop Labour's patriotic branding altogether.

But The People's Channel spotted four other things in Liverpool that GB News members need to know.

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Andy Burnham's Brussels bid risks Brexit civil war

Looking across the River Mersey from the ACC, the Brexit-backing town of Birkenhead stands tall while grey clouds gather over Labour's plans for Europe.

Mr Burnham looks set to reignite a Brexit civil war by keeping all options on the table ahead of his EU reset, including rejoining the Brussels bloc.

In his conference speech, the Prime Minister said: "I will take the opportunity around the summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe the different options are for Britain's long-term relationship with our European partners."

Deputy Prime Minister Louise Haigh refused to rule out rejoining the EU during her interview with GB News.

Meanwhile, Northampton South MP Mike Reader went further by explicitly declaring his intention to defy his constituents' wishes.

"I would love to see us have that conversation," Mr Reader said.

Labour Brexiteer Graham Stringer issued his warning to GB News ahead of doors opening in Liverpool.

And other Labour MPs are also urging caution before Mr Burnham decides whether or not to betray the Brexit vote completely.

"Remainer MPs seem to think reversing Brexit will fix everything," one MP told GB News.

"They're wrong and it would be a huge mistake."

I am sure it was music to the ears of Steve Bray, the rejoin campaign's answer to the last Japanese soldier, who is still fighting a war many will wish had just ended in 2016.

Not another one! PM's showdown with pensioners

But it was not just on Brexit that the Prime Minister faces pressure to take a different approach.

The controversial announcement to axe the triple lock might have been well received by a majority on the conference floor.

However, ex-Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell had a different view.

"It was a great speech by Andy Burnham, but I have to be honest too that the triple lock announcement spoilt it for me," Mr McDonnell said.

Unite boss Sharon Graham warned the decision would be nothing short of "electoral suicide" for Labour.

Clearly, away from Liverpool, Reform UK is hoping to make the most of it.

Writing for GB News, Reform UK Chief Whip Lee Anderson said: "And if Burnham and Labour think pensioners will simply shrug and vote for them again after this, they are living in cloud-cuckoo land."

Mr Anderson added: "He's not the one sitting in a cold house in Ashfield watching his pension buy less every year while the cost of everything from food to energy keeps climbing."

Labour MP goes from Irish ballads to Liverpool's next top DJ

However, the fanfare around Mr Burnham does not mean he is the only Labour favourite in town.

Dame Emily Thornberry was filmed belting out the traditional Irish ballad The Lass of Aughrim at a fringe reception held by Labour's Irish Society.

The footage went viral on social media and drew a jibe from GB News star Patrick Christys.

"Well, I'd suggest there might have been a free bar at that event," he said.

But Dame Emily definitely does not care. She was spotted throwing her arms in the air as she DJed at Labour's annual TikTok party as the festivities in Liverpool drew to a close.

Labour pushes the button on its conference bash

And she was far from the only act on the conference bill.

The Sugababes were booked to headline the Labour Students disco, a fitting choice for a party whose MPs pushed the button on their own leader just months ago.

Reform UK went for disco instead, with Boney M playing at Nigel Farage's conference afterparty in Birmingham earlier this month.

Who the Tories will line up remains to be seen, though The Blues Brothers would at least match the party colours.