The article examines whether immigration and asylum policy could undermine Labour’s recent improvement in the polls under Andy Burnham. It matters because the issue remains a major electoral vulnerability for Labour and a core area of support for Reform UK, meaning decisions by the government could quickly test the durability of the “Burnham bounce”.

Burnham has backed tougher asylum measures that have caused divisions within Labour, while voters remain less confident in his approach to immigration than in several other policy areas. The political challenge is to show greater control of borders without alienating Labour supporters concerned about human rights, with the cost of living and immigration both prominent public concerns.