Lee Anderson launches furious tirade on 'carpetbagger' Andy Burnham after EU U-turn: 'He's smug!'

Lee Anderson has launched a scathing attack on Andy Burnham over his EU U-turn, branding the Makerfield by-election hopeful a "carpetbagger".

Speaking to GB News, the newly appointed Reform UK Chairman hit out at the Manchester Mayor's speech earlier today, calling him "smug".

In his address at an event in Leeds, Mr Burnham distanced himself from comments made at last year's Labour Party conference he wanted the UK to "rejoin the EU in his lifetime".

Instead, Mr Burnham today declared he "respects the decision that was made at the referendum" and it would "undermine everything I've said about respecting democracy if we don't respect that vote".

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Reacting to the remarks, Mr Anderson said Mr Burnham will "say anything" to get the people on his side.

He told host Martin Daubney: "He's a political chameleon; he is a carpetbagger. People don't believe this nonsense anymore, he'll say anything.

"And I saw his little bit of a speech this morning, and what a cheek he's got. Smug, as if he's just going to waltz in. The selection process has not even taken place yet, and he's already talking like he is the current Prime Minister."

The Reform Chairman warned Mr Burnham is in for a "rude awakening" when the Makerfield by-election comes around.

He said: "I think he's going to be for a rude awakening next month, because I've been out again this morning on the doorstep, and even the Labour voters we've spoken to this morning do not like Andy Burnham in this neck of the woods.

"They say he may have done a reasonable job in Manchester, in the city centre, but in places like Makerfield, they've been totally forgotten about."

Quizzed by GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope on their candidate for the by-election, Mr Anderson assured they will put forward a "strong candidate" who will "represent the brilliant constituency" of Makerfield.

He made clear: "I predict that we'll have a strong local candidate in the next 24 hours in this area. Whoever we choose, it's going to be somebody that wants to represent this brilliant constituency, not some carpetbagger who wants to use it as a stepping stone to become the prime minister.

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"They learn nothing these Labour politicians. There is a 66 per cent Brexit vote in this area that Labour again want to stick a Remainer in it."

Questioned on whether Reform UK would consider doing a "deal" with the Tories to block Mr Burnham winning, Mr Anderson made clear the party "doesn't need to do deals with anyone" to win the seat.

He told GB News: "We don't need to do deals with anybody really to win this seat, all we've got to do is put in a good shift over the next four weeks or so. Get knocking doors, speaking to the constituents there.

"We know the votes are there, we've just got to make sure that we get out there knocking them doors and make sure the voters come out for us, because there are no safe seats anymore for the Labour Party. We're in their heartlands and we're going to take it out from them."

Questioned on his latest appointment as Reform UK's Chairman, Mr Anderson said it is "a great challenge and a great honour" for him to receive.

He told GB News: "First of all, I just want to thank Zia Yusuf and Dr David Bull for the work they've done before I was appointed Chairman. They've done a fantastic job. They've laid the foundations and they've left it in a great place, and we're looking forward to the by-election in Makerfield.

"We've really got the momentum behind us and the wind in our sails, and it's a great challenge for me and a great honour. I just want to thank the people of Ashfield for voting for me.

"Ashfield is the capital of common sense, and they're going to have a major say in how this country moves forward."

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