Andy Burnham: There will always be room for Red Ed
A LABOUR leader contender has revealed he would give Ed Miliband a starring role in the party, despite many believing he was the reason for a catastrophic general election.
Andy Burnham denied he was tainted by the past and said there would "always be room" for the former Labour leader, who stepped down earlier this month.
The shadow health secretary said: "I don't know what Ed's plans are for the next few years. He is somebody who I respect greatly, who I am very close to.
"The Labour Party would always have room for him to contribute in whatever way he chose was right.
"But I have not spoken to him about any of those things."
Mr Burnham's remarks come as he appeared to bury Labour's left-wing reputation by calling for his party to take a tougher line on welfare.
During speech to business leaders in central London, the frontrunner claimed that the party had given people the perception it would give an "easy ride" to those on benefits.
Mr Burnham said: "Labour does need to win back those people who have that feeling about us."
He also hinted that he could back some of the Conservative's planned £12billion welfare cuts, including the further reduction in the benefit cap from £26,000 to £23,000.
The Labour Party would always have room for him to contribute in whatever way he chose was right
Mr Burnham said that he believed there was a feeling among voters that during the election Labour wanted "to be soft on people who want something for nothing".
"We've got to be honest about that. That is a feeling that's out there, that was still being replayed at this election," he continued.
But he said there were "real worries" about the £12billion benefit cuts, especially for carers and those receiving tax credits.
Mr Burnham also sought to distinguish himself from the Conservatives.
He said: "Our plan is not a Tory plan because public spending cuts cannot bear all the brunt of deficit reduction."
Asked after his speech whether he would back welfare cuts, he said benefits should not be "indiscriminately lumped together".
He added: "People thought we were right to take a stand on the Bedroom Tax, for instance.
"There is a more sophisticated debate to be had, about in-work benefits."