Like Diane Abbott Andy Burnham is good for the Labour leadership debate

Andy Burnham MP  Shadow Health Secretary had been outspoken in the final Labour leadership lap over the coalitions proposed NHS reforms.  He has argued and is expected to highlight in a speech in Liverpool tomorrow that the reforms would favour those who can afford private healthcare.  Burnham has been urging Lib Dem MPs to oppose such reforms.

In a statement left-winger Burnham commented;

He (Nick Clegg) must explain why these reforms are being forced on the NHS in direct contradiction to what the coalition agreement promised."

While this Labour leadership race has seemingly become a contest of personality, Diane Abbott and Andy Burnham remind us that ultimately the contest should be about promoting debate and should be  a battle of ideas. Burnham has been outspoken over issues that politicians have been quick to avoid  in recent months  most notably over immigration, particularly in the run up to the general election which took place in May.

While current PM David Cameron with the support of Philip Hollobone the right wing MP for Kettering remained steadfast in their calls for a cap on immigration numbers, they refused to state a specific number and were unclear as to how the logistics of such a proposal would be implemented. Given that many believe this line was towed in the full knowledge that such a policy could never be implemented some interpreted the calls for an immigration cap as a cynical ploy to win over right wing voters who may have considered voting for the BNP.

The calls for an immigration cap, coupled with Home Secretary Theresa May‚Äôs calls for ID cards to be carried by immigrants from outside the EU (which was thrown out in the end) stoked tensions at a time when the influence of the BNP was reaching a critical stage. Pandering to the interests of the right wing electorate had the potential to pollute democracy especially at a time when many minority communities have yet to play a full role in the democratic process.  Equally, sweeping the issue under the carpet has the same effect.

In the backdrop of all of this Burnham back in May in an interview in the Telegraph, acknowledged the potential damage this approach by politicians could cause.

Like Abbott, Burnham  has reminded us that not talking about issues like immigration for fear of losing political points is not healthy for political debate, and that burying our heads in the sand will only further divisions while allowing bigotry fester.  Given that cuts to deal with the national deficit have not yet been fully felt-and will disproportionally affecting minority communities-this openness of debate is as crucial as

Diane Abbott widening the debate by both her presence and campaigning.

Article written by Richard Sudan