Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is reportedly preparing to drop the Union flag from Labour Party branding in a move seen as an attempt to placate the party's left-wing, which some critics have characterised as "unpatriotic". The report suggests a rift within Labour over how the party presents its national identity and symbolism, with the flag's use having been a point of contention between different wings of the party in recent years.

The claim originates from reporting rather than an official Labour Party announcement, and specific details on timing, the branding materials affected, or Burnham's own comments were not included in the available article text. The story taps into a broader, long-running debate within Labour about balancing patriotic imagery, which some figures credit with helping win over traditional voters, against discomfort among left-leaning members who view flag-waving as nationalistic.