Burnham Announces Labour Leadership Bid

Andy Burnham has officially announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Labour Party.

The former health secretary said the party's future should not be a choice between left and right.

In a recorded message, he added that the party should be on the side of those who shop in John Lewis as well as those on zero-hour contracts.

"Our challenge is not to go left or right, to focus on one part of the country above another, but to rediscover the beating heart of Labour," said Mr Burnham.

The Leigh MP joins shadow health minister Liz Kendall and shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna in the battle for the top job.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper is also expected to announce she is standing soon.

Mr Burnham said the party should value aspiration and be pro-business, following criticism that Ed Miliband’s campaign had alienated millions of voters.

"The party that I love has lost its emotional connection with millions of people," said the 45-year-old.

"It is about helping all of our businesses, small and large, to get on and grow.

"Labour wins when it speaks to everyone and for the whole country, for Middle England but also Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"And it needs a leader whose voice can carry into all the nations and regions of the UK."

Mr Burnham served as health secretary under Gordon Brown and previously as a home office and health minister under Tony Blair.

His appeal to the centre ground is an attempt to demonstrate his campaign will not be fought on the left and that he will not be beholden to the unions.

The contest to succeed Mr Miliband, who resigned following a General Election defeat for Labour, will last four months.

Following a meeting of the party's ruling national executive, acting leader Harriet Harman said the result of the elections for leader and deputy leader would be declared at a special conference on 12 September.

"The General Election saw the Labour Party suffer a serious defeat, and over the coming weeks we need an open and honest debate on the right way forward," she said.

"Our challenge now is to use this time to listen and learn, to elect a new leader and deputy leader who will rebuild the Labour Party in order to take the fight to this Tory government and to stand up for Britain."