# Burnham backs PR but Labour cabinet divided on electoral reform

> Andy Burnham supports proportional representation, but senior Labour figures including his deputy and former mentors oppose the change.
- Title: Burnham backs PR but Labour cabinet divided on electoral…
- Summary: Andy Burnham supports proportional representation, but senior Labour figures including his deputy and former mentors oppose the change. Andy Burnham backs…
- Keywords: andy burnham, labour party, proportional representation, louise haigh, angela rayner, david blunkett, electoral reform, news, world, Burnham, backs, Labour
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/oct/19/andy-burnham-labour-children-welfare-neets-kemi-badenoch-conservatives-nigel-farage-reform-latest-news-updates
- Published: 2026-10-19T16:18:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, labour party, proportional representation, louise haigh, angela rayner, david blunkett, electoral reform, news, world
## Burnham backs proportional representation
Andy Burnham supports proportional representation, and Daisy Cooper cited this as evidence the Liberal Democrats are winning the battle of ideas.
## But his cabinet opposes the change
Louise Haigh, deputy PM and Burnham's close ally, has concerns about shifting to PR. Other cabinet members have previously voiced reservations about the idea.
## Rayner and Blunkett argue against PR
Angela Rayner, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, said PR could allow extremist parties such as the British National Party to win House of Commons seats.

> first-past-the-post girl who was yet to be convinced by PR
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham backs proportional representation, but his own cabinet colleagues including deputy PM Louise Haigh and former mentor David Blunkett oppose it.