BRITAIN is on a path towards the “poisonous” politics of the US under the current Labour leadership, Andy Burnham has said.

The Greater Manchester mayor, now chasing a seat in Parliament, said during a campaign speech on Saturday that discourse is becoming more polarised and “communities don’t work together any more.”

He asked the audience: “Does anyone here feel that we can just stay on the path that we’re on as a country?

“It doesn’t feel doable, does it? It doesn’t feel that we’re heading in the right direction. It doesn’t feel like we’re heading to better lives for people.

“Things are getting harder and politics is getting more polarised, and the path we’re on, if we are not careful, is a path towards the politics of the United States: a polarised, poisonous politics where people in communities don’t work together any more.”

Mr Burnham also said he would guarantee a 45-day work placement for all 16- to 18-year-olds and a “massive expansion” of apprenticeships.

The Makerfield by-election takes place on Thursday and is expected to be a race between Mr Burnham and the Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.