The difficult balancing act Burnham faces over immigration – and the trap he must avoid which brought down Starmer

Comment now Next ANDY Burnham arrived in Downing Street with something his predecessor had long since lost – the goodwill of Labour MPs. But the real test is whether he can turn that popularity into getting difficult decisions over the line. Andy Burnham needs to turn his popularity with Labour MPs into getting difficult decisions over the line Credit: EPA Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh refused sixteen times to back Shabana Mahmood’s proposals Credit: PA Advertisement The PM inherited some of the biggest headaches of Sir Keir Starmer ‘s premiership, not least immigration . Shabana Mahmood ‘s plans to make migrants wait longer before settling permanently in Britain sparked a backlash from around 100 Labour MPs under Starmer. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The Government is still weighing up the responses to a consultation that closed in February, with no final decision on the controversial 15-year wait. And the longer ministers take, the more questions Mr Burnham faces about how much of the crackdown will survive. READ MORE ON POLITICS FEEL THE BURN From pensioners to first-time buyers - how will you be hit by the Budget? 'BAD NEWS' PM's ally warns against raising taxes on business & more borrowing in Budget The divisions have now reached his own Cabinet, with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh yesterday refusing sixteen times to back the proposals. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has also voiced concerns, while the PM is reportedly considering exempting care workers to ease opposition. It leaves Mr Burnham with a difficult balancing act. Water down the reforms and he risks accusations of going soft on immigration, handing ammunition to Nigel Farage . Advertisement Most read in The Sun DEATH RIDDLE Woman, 36, dies after being found unresponsive in home - as cops probe death CONTINENT CHAOS Cops & left-wing protesters clash in Spain after 'apocalyptic' France riots VLAD THREAT Putin 'sends fishing boats to spy on Britain' as tyrant targets undersea cables SKILLS LOST Navy 'lost its ability to fight beneath ice cap & is leaving seas to Russians' But press ahead and he could squander the goodwill he enjoys among Labour MPs. There is also a warning from his predecessor’s downfall. Sir Keir’s authority suffered a major blow when he caved to Labour rebels over welfare cuts, exposing a PM who appeared unable to stand up to his own backbenchers. The retreat only emboldened MPs to demand further concessions. Mr Burnham’s challenge is to avoid the same trap while proving he can deliver the tougher immigration system his Government has promised. Advertisement For a PM who came to power promising to unite Labour, the danger is that keeping his party happy comes at the expense of getting anything done. Comment now