John Swinney has said he wants to build a constructive relationship with Andy Burnham after Burnham was confirmed as the new leader of UK Labour. Swinney's response struck a cooperative tone as Burnham takes over the party leadership.
Burnham used his first speech to Labour MPs and supporters to set out a message focused on working-class communities. Speaking at the TUC headquarters, he said he would give "hope back" to people who felt the political class had turned away from them.
The exchange points to an early effort to establish a practical working relationship between the two men, even as they operate in different political spaces. Swinney's remarks suggest he is keen to engage with Labour's new leadership in a constructive way.
For Burnham, the speech appeared designed to frame his leadership around reconnecting with voters who feel overlooked. His emphasis on hope and support for working-class communities is likely to shape expectations around the direction Labour takes under his leadership.
