Youth in Politics: Gen-Z Labour Party Officer On The Future of Britain
- Aug 1
- 11 min read
In an Exclusive Interview With Editor-In-Chief Jett James Pruitt, Political Activist Hector Muller Offers His Thoughts on the Rise of Andy Burnham
Interview Conducted by Jett James Pruitt
The following text is an interview between Editor-In-Chief Jett James Pruitt and Hector Muller, a 3rd-Year History Student at Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne and the Labour Party's International Youth Officer, regarding how Andy Burnham will reshape British politics.
JJP: Before we begin, tell me a little about you. What compelled you to join the Labour Party and become a political activist at such a young age?
HM: Well, I joined the Labour party two years ago, and since then have become vice-chair (proudly) of the Northern France and Channel Islands Branch, as well as International Youth Officer. I joined for a few reasons, but mostly because I saw the threat reform posed to the United Kingdom as well as just how badly decades of conservative governments had left Britain in a worse state. I grew up in London and cherished a form of Britain I saw being attacked and put into question — a country defined by multiple people from all backgrounds, with a sense of decency and never giving up and a duty to public service.
I also believe Keir Starmer's message of 'country first, party second' is a message that has always resonated with me, this ideal that to get into politics is well and truly about people, ordinary people and caring for their needs. I also think my experiences guided me in my decision. I was born in west London and grew up both around west London and southeast London in the borough of Lewisham; Lewisham is truly where I spent my formative years. Both parts of London taught me decency and the importance of hard work, but also how the fabric of Britain is built around common values and tight communities. I remember especially the communities from the west indies in southeast London, listening to Johnny Nash and Bob Marley, and of course eating Jamaican jerk chicken. I also remember life not being easy. I was never someone who had things handed to me on a silver platter. I remember the deep austerity of the Cameron government, as well as the day Brexit happened. After hearing the results of the referendum, it felt the world around me had collapsed.
Furthermore, what compelled me to join was also a sense of disillusionment with French politics. I moved to France in 2017 and was always motivated by a sense of service, and perhaps even politics. I remember speaking no French and still putting my hand up to run in an election as class representative; I won the next four years in a row! In fact, I remember serving in En Marche (Emmanuel Macron's party) in the youth wing, and man was that shambolical! Truly a party of naysayers and old, stuffy ideas. I left thinking I wasn't a centrist, but a man who lived common sense and pragmatism.
Keir Starmer spoke to that thirst for unity and genuine change.
So, it's an odd mixture of personal experiences that led me to the Labour party, but I have to say I cannot be more pleased. I've used this experience to strive to genuinely improve the way our party has functioned, set up a more collaborative politics with two debates in Paris, as well as push for digitalization and a more modern party in terms of its inner functionings.
I think testimony to this open-mindedness I seek to bring is this interview. I remember meeting Jett at a talk I did at the University of London in Paris on politics of compassion, I remember him pressing me hard on my presentation with great thought and a philosophical approach! I was very impressed, and although I'm sure our views differ on the world, I walked out of that room thinking Jett was a top fellow, someone who wanted the best for his country and a force to be reckoned with!
JJP: Thank you for sharing Hector, and I appreciate your kind words. Like you, I was gravitated towards politics and public leadership at a very young age, so I can relate to what you're saying. I was likewise impressed with your keen interest in history and contemporary politics when we first met at ULIP.
As you're well aware of, Andy Burnham is the U.K.’s seventh prime minister within a decade. In your view, what makes him different from his predecessors?
HM: I think this is a very interesting question, especially pertaining to the way in which government functions in Britain. In some way, it is an issue of the revolving door, but might I add it means we hold our prime ministers to scrutiny and high standards whilst in office, something that isn't the case in every major democracy. Of course, this is a partial view as I am in the Labour Party, but its important that six of those last seven prime ministers in the revolving door have been Conservative prime ministers. If you look at the Labour record in government from Wilson to Blair and Attlee to Brown, they tend to be far more stable administrations, especially given the Conservatives suffered the same fate post-WWII with a rapid succession of prime ministers with Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, and Heath.
With regards to Andy, I think he’s been immensely clear with not only the state of play facing this incoming Labour government, but also his commitment to ending the factionalism in the Labour Party and bringing back the importance of having a broad church of ideas under the same vision for change. Andy has also entered his new role with grace and set the stage for a more collaborative politics. So far, he has invited members from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to participate on his project on social care, and he’s also ensured that he takes a more practical approach to questions such as North Sea oil and gas. Finally, I would add that his cabinet reflects continuity from Keir Starmer; he's kept some key labour figures in top roles such as Ed Miliband, John Healey, Yvette Cooper, and Shabanna Mahmood. I would say it's a clean break from Starmer, but arguably a measured approach to that break.
JJP: What do you think Labour must do in order to secure its position against the Reform Party, and other parties on the ideological left such as the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats, and Your Party?
HM: In this case, I think it really does depend on the voting pool and the electorate. For example, we saw how in Makerfield the area voted for Reform in the local elections, then voted in Andy Burnham shortly after. Regarding Reform, it is about painting a new vision, a more serious approach to immigration in showcasing the need for workers that Britain faces, as well as highlighting continued efforts to curb illegal arrivals coming across the Channel. Though, I do suspect Burnham is far harder for Reform to pin down. He’s far more in-tune with the general public and has secured support rapidly through easing the cost of living, capping bus fares, and showing from day one a commitment to working people across the UK. So to beat Reform, let them stumble into their own spiral of illegal donations and internal party chaos!
As for the Greens, I think they are certainly on the rise and a key competitor for the Labour Party, particularly in certain geographic areas such as Brighton, London, Hove. However, I do think upon further analysis the Green Party's policies are overall fallacies at best and disastrous at most; they are simply not serious. I mean, the simple fact is Zack Polsanski is a man who stated openly he wishes to have “a relationship with Putin” and a “world without borders”. I suspect a little like reform, the Green Party is better left to do its own soul searching!
Regarding the Lib Dems, I have to say they are the most sensible party in Parliament alongside Labour. Yes, we have many disagreements on policy, and they previously failed to back our Employment Rights Bill and often aligned with the Tories (Orange on the Outside, Blue on the Inside). So far, it appears they are willing to come to the table with Andy Burnham and discuss more collaborative ways of fixing Britain — that should be welcomed!
JJP: Can you elaborate what is meant by the term “Manchesterism?” How will Burnham’s economic philosophy make life more affordable for the British people?
HM: Now this is a very interesting question. I think we could go about it with a fixed definition, but in some ways it's more interesting to take a more personal approach.
For me, Manchesterism is about place and it's about power. It is about putting money back in the hands of local authorities, as they know best how to serve their communities and giving back a sense of pride in place.
It will make life more affordable in multiple ways.
To begin with, Burnham's model in Manchester has delivered exponential growth and waves of development. We’re talking double the growth in Manchester than in the wider country. We’re talking 3 times more jobs and 2 times the salary growth. It's a model that is not only functional but transformational.
Now, you may ask how does this make life more affordable? The Manchesterism model will mean more job opportunities, better access to skills, and taking back control of public resources such as Burnham's model of public bus control.
Secondly, the other thing Manchesterism does is produce growth in one's local area, saving people the need, time, and money to move down south to provide for their families and have access to opportunity. We’re talking about a major shift of power into our regions — Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, and other prominent cities in the Northern UK will all benefit from this push. Buses are an interesting symbolism for Burnham, as the bus cap not only gives more breathing space to families, but also allows easier access to destinations and work.
Finally, Manchesterism is well and truly being allowed to succeed because of the economic situation handed to Burnham by Keir Starmer and former chancellor Rachel Reeves. We’re taking breathing space for working families through schemes such as the Great British Summer Savings scheme, with discounts on theme parks, pools, cinemas, and other recreational activities so everyone can deserve a well earned summer!
JJP: In your view, what is the biggest issue facing Burnham and the U.K. as a whole?
HM: This is such an interesting question, and I am so glad you asked.
I suspect a lot of people will talk about the cost of living, immigration, and devolution as pressing issues. I think for Andy the biggest issue will be building and bringing back a sense of hope and reversing London-centric politics.
If possible, I’d like to devote my time to perhaps something a little different, and that is the way we grow our economy and build a better future. I believe that to strive towards a stronger, more collaborative Britain we require a new approach — a new approach with both national and international dimensions.
Nationally, the biggest issue we face is the blatant inequality between Wales, the north, the south, London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. If we are to build a better Britain, it is essential to build the tools, the hard infrastructure to decentralize our country. This means accelerating integrated transport networks like the Weever Network in west Yorkshire, the Bee Network in Manchester and Transport for London (TFL)-style networks across the UK. It also means being bold and committing to key large scale projects such as High Speed 2, the Heathrow Expansion Project, and growth in the use of nuclear power.
This bolder approach must also continue internationally. So far, Burnham has approved an £8 billion investment in our nuclear submarine capacity and restored 0.7 percent GDP for foreign aid. I think the fact Ed Miliband, the new foreign secretary, had 15 meetings in 48 hours says it all about Burnham's impressive approach to international affairs. However, our focus should be on differentiating our partnerships and engaging with new partners such as Ahmed al-Sharaa' Syria and Ali al-Zaidi's Iraq. This also means taking a bolder stance on issues such as women's rights in Afghanistan being blatantly obstructed and taken back decades by the Taliban, as well as calling out the abhorrent separation of women and children by French immigration services as reported in The Times.
In short, Britain's biggest issue is finding its guts and returning to a bolder way of doing things.
JJP: As someone with special insight into the inner dynamics of the Labour Party, why did Keir Starmer fall short?
HM: Oh, I'm not sure Starmer fell short. 8 million more NHS appointments, renationalized railways and electricity, 500, 000 children out of poverty, free breakfast clubs, and multiple trade deals. I truly think he didn't fall short, but simply wasn't the right man (according to the majority of the party) to continue to lead us into the next election
I hope Starmer is the man who is remembered for taking Labour from catastrophic defeat and rife with antisemitism in 2019 to a historic landslide in 2024. His final speech is well and truly testimony to his decency. I also think he inherited a disastrous situation: a stagnant economy, multiple wars, and of course an international system put under strain.
I suspect history will look back on Keir in an almost Brexit-style way — another case where Britain shot itself in the foot! He was an honest, decent PM brought down by unfortunate infighting and a challenging global situation. Overall, he was a man who delivered and cared about ordinary working people.
JJP: Burnham appears to be more focused on immediate economic challenges than foreign policy issues. Do you predict any surprises in his approach to international affairs?
HM: Surprises? Perhaps, but I suspect it's too early to tell. What I will say is that Andy’s pick of foreign secretary is one which is greatly promising. Ed Miliband has tremendous experience as a former party leader and member of parliament. It will be a foreign policy guided by clear principles and a strong determination for change. My predictions will be closer ties with Europe and a re-evaluation of certain partnerships. I also hope for a steadfast continuation of support to Ukraine as a key ally against Russian oppression, as well as steadfast support for a resolution in Palestine that seeks the best result for both Israel and the Palestinian people.
JJP: As a Gen-Z member of the Labour Party, what do you think the party must do to appeal and win over younger voters?
HM: Stick to the current course! I especially welcome Andy's recent announcement to invest in vocational training on equal footing with academic training. It's so important for our young people to know that going into plumbery or becoming an electrician are valued jobs that serve the needs of society! I also expect Andy's policies on capped transport fares and bill relief will certainly help students across the country. Finally, devolution will be key to appealing to younger voters. This includes providing jobs in every community where opportunity does not depend on a postcode and the North-South drain can be replaced by nationwide access to high quality employment! I also think Burnham's honest and approachable communication style is appealing to younger voters.
JJP: Finally, if you had a private moment with Burnham, what would you ask or say to him?
HM: If there's a job to be done sometimes you got to get on with it. Andy, you have a clear mandate and my full support!
JJP: Thank you for taking the time to speak to me, my friend.
HM: Thank you!
Hector Muller is a 3rd-Year History Student at Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne. He is the Founder and President of Atlas, a speech and debate society involving college students throughout Paris, and is currently the Labour Party's International Youth Officer.
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Jett James Pruitt is a Native American, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of the bestselling book THROUGH THE EYES OF A YOUNG AMERICAN. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of TheGenZPost.com and a political strategist specializing in Generation Z voter trends. He is currently a B.A. International Politics student at The University of London Institute in Paris. His next book, THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE: What America's Political Parties Must Do To Win Over Generation Z, will be released in major bookstores worldwide early 2027.
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