Robbie Davidson, Manchester Socialist Students

The Trade Union and Labour student societies at the University of Manchester hosted a Q&A with Labour MP Richard Burgon. Burgon supported Jeremy Corbyn when he was Labour leader.

Burgon voted against Keir Starmer’s government, opposing the two-child benefit cap, which leaves hundreds of thousands of people in poverty. He was suspended as a Labour MP for this, but let back in the day before the meeting.

We submitted a question, asking Burgon to take the demand for free education and an end to tuition fees into Parliament. But the question was blocked by the groups at the head of the Q&A.

Instead, the MP was asked simply if he believed in free education, to which he comfortably answered “yes”, whilst avoiding how he would act on his belief with a fighting plan.

Our members used the more open segment of the event to ask Burgon, given his suspension and the weakness of Labour’s base in the working class, if it was now time to look towards an alternative party, built on the trade unions, with socialist policies. His answer was simple, a resounding “no”.

The dozens of students in the room were asked to keep faith in the ‘broad church’ of the Labour Party. Is Burgon walking on egg shells with Keir Starmer to protect his job in Parliament?

We were not alone in our criticisms of Labour. One young person left Burgon fumbling for words, asking: “Should we vote for right-wing Labour candidates over pro-working-class independents, like Jeremy Corbyn?”

Socialist Students continues to fight for political representation for trade unions and working-class people – a fight Burgon is welcome to join us in.