Chris Webb on backing Andy Burnham, two years as MP for Blackpool South - and The Metropole

Marking two years as an MP, Chris Webb speaks to The Blackpool Lead about highs, lows and the direction of the Labour Party

Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.

When Chris Webb first became MP for Blackpool South two years ago - a few weeks earlier than most of his colleagues given the by-election - he likely at least hoped things would go better than they have.

It has been a challenging two years in government for the Labour Party, and some of the decisions made by Keir Starmer have only made life more difficult for MPs like Webb (and others in Lancashire).

But for all of them, their chances of continuing their work as an MP past the next general election improve considerably (at least, for the time being) with Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.

We interviewed Webb a few weeks ago - as Starmer was about to announce his resignation - and he talked about the challenges of the last few years, but also some of the victories that get lost in the Westminster chaos.

Blackpool briefing

🩺 A senior heart surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital faces being struck off after being jailed for sexually assaulting junior colleagues. Amal Bose, 56, of Lancaster, will face a medical tribunal at the end of this month. The three-day hearing will look into his criminal conviction before a panel decides if the disgraced medic will ever be allowed to practise medicine again. Bose denied the attacks, claiming they either did not happen or were down to flirting or workplace banter. He was found guilty at Preston Court Court of 12 counts of sexual assault.

Speaking after Bose was sentenced last September, Sacha Coyne from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Amal Bose was in a trusted position at the hospital. He abused this by creating a toxic environment, making sexual comments, and sexually assaulting five women who worked at the hospital.”

Vic boss Maggie Oldham said previously: “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the actions of Mr Bose, and we thank our staff for the bravery and courage they have shown throughout the police investigation and trial of Mr Bose.

“As a trust, we have co-operated with the police throughout their investigation into Mr Bose, who has not worked at the trust since December 2022.

“We have been truly shocked and saddened by the experiences of the victims, and we will now be supporting all colleagues as we move forward together.”

---

🌟 A national tour showcasing highlights from the David Bowie archive is to travel the UK for the first time - and will visit Blackpool.

David Bowie: On Tour will kick off at V&A Dundee in November 2026 before visiting Blackpool’s Showtown in June 2027 and then travelling to the Bowes Museum in County Durham, the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull and finally Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, with further venues to be announced.

Items will include Bowie’s legendary costumes, musical instruments, career spanning photography and personal treasures, including the stopwatch he used when songwriting; plus never-before-seen items including Polaroids of make-up tests, a Ziggy Stardust-era acoustic guitar, unrealised scripts, and handwritten lyrics, performance notes and costumes from Bowie’s final albums, The Next Day and★ (Blackstar)

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, added: “Bowie in Blackpool. This is a match made in heaven. We’re delighted to continue our excellent relationship with the V&A and be the only place in the North West of England for people to enjoy this fantastic collection. We have such an eclectic range of culture in Blackpool, and David Bowie: On Tour is another great addition for local people and visitors to enjoy.”

---

🍴 The Blue Diamond on Highfield Road in Blackpool’s South Shore has had its premises licence revoked after councillors heard an employee had been working there illegally.

A Home Office immigration team requested that the eatery have its premises licence reviewed by Blackpool Council’s licensing panel over claims that employment rules related to immigration controls had been breached.

Immigration Officer Shaun Wright attended the panel hearing and outlined the potential exploitation implications and the unfair competitive advantage gained by businesses employing staff without the correct right to work.

Mr Mohammed Malik, director of Gulu Gulu BPL Ltd, told the panel he had taken over the lease of the premises in September and that the issues relating to the illegal worker had occurred under the previous licence holder.

But the panel had concerns that the overall control of the business had not truly changed hands since the immigration enforcement visit the previous year.

It was therefore agreed to revoke the licence on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder, specifically the prevention of illegal working in licensed premises.

---

Chris Webb on backing Andy Burnham, two years as MP for Blackpool South - and The Metropole

By Michael Holmes

Seven seconds pass before Chris Webb answers. That’s an eternity for a politician used to thinking on his feet. But then it’s a tough question for one to answer.

If I went on to the Prom and asked 10 people if they are better off now than a year ago, what does he think they will tell me?

The Labour MP, who has just marked two years in office when we chat, is speaking to The Blackpool Lead from The Glass Tower, a boutique luxury hotel in South Shore that has just undergone a seven-figure transformation.

Wearing a black Stone Island polo shirt with navy jeans and white Nike Air Force Ones, he is dressed down as we meet in the venue’s bar at 9.30am on a Sunday.

Sipping from a cup of tea, he looks into the air and contemplates.

And then he says: “I think you get a mixed reaction.”

Webb reels off a list of accomplishments since he came to power in a byelection in May 2024.

A rise in the minimum wage has “definitely put more money in people’s pockets”, he says, while the Renters’ Rights Act has capped rent increases to open market rates.

So there are “those that have more money in their pockets, without a doubt”.

But he accepts that, with the debacle in the Middle East between the US/Israel and Iran, which has choked the Strait of Hormuz, some continue to feel the impact, especially at the petrol pumps and on their energy bills.

“We have tried our best with that,” he says. “We’ve frozen prescription (charges), we’ve frozen rail fares.

“We are working to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.”

And there is prosperity in Blackpool, he insists.

Take The Glass Tower, which cost £3.8m to transform from the shuttered Royal Carlton Hotel and now sells £26 roast dinners in its bougie Eleven restaurant, which boasts Michelin-trained chefs.

“They’re telling me they’re packed. They are busy. They’re booked out for Sunday lunch,” Webb says.

“On the weekends, the hotel, the apartment rooms upstairs, are booked out. So there is a buzz.”

The resort is getting a record number of visitors and the barometers of local success, like Notarianni’s in Waterloo Road, are saying business is booming.

Webb says: “We know people are spending money and going out.

“But when you ask, ‘Are (people) feeling a bit better off?’ we’re British, we like to have a grumble.”

Speaking to Webb at Stanley Park a year ago to mark his first year in office, the mood seemed more relaxed.

His personal life was on the agenda and we were able to talk about his balancing of politics with family life.

But now, despite the fancy surroundings of marble and brass, with gold highlights and a spotless dining room, there is an underlying feeling that The Blackpool Lead’s line of questioning should be more urgent.

After all, we are meeting at a time when Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership is crumbling.

Andy Burnham has just won a by-election and is on a march to Downing Street.

“I think it’s evident now that we do need a change in leader,” Webb says.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, while Webb was talking my phone had buzzed with the news that Sir Keir was considering his future. Just weeks later, we know how this story ends.

“I think Keir Starmer is a decent man, I think he’s come with the best intentions, but mistakes have been made,” with the PM being forced into U-turns on controversial policies over the likes of welfare.

Webb continues: “I think we have seen with recent local election results that the public sent us a clear, strong message: they’re not happy with Labour and they’re not happy with the direction. They’re not happy with our comms or what our vision for the country is.

Webb outside The Glass Tower. Credit: The Blackpool Lead

“They made that loud and clear and you have to respect the voters.”

Burnham’s victory in Makerfield, which ultimately led to the resignation of Sir Keir and Burnham’s apparent unopposed trip to Downing Street, was “remarkable”, Webb says, showing pollsters up and also showing “a message of hope and optimism”.

“Andy has my full support. He’s a friend, he’s a remarkable politician and I think he can give this country the hope and the change we need, focusing on the forgotten areas.”

Asked how far back he would have to go to say he’d back Sir Keir as PM over Burnham, Webb suggests that would never have been the case.