The Labour Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) is pleased to endorse Andy Burnham to become Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Whilst LAWS does not formally nominate candidates in Labour leadership elections, a long-standing policy, we believe that Andy is the right person to bring our party together and to deliver the party’s electoral promise to deliver the most significant animal welfare reforms in a generation. We are therefore delighted to offer him our full support in doing so.
In a statement to LAWS during the 2015 Labour leadership election, Andy said: “Our Labour values tell us that we have a moral duty to treat animals in a humane and compassionate way.” He also highlighted Labour’s proud record on animal welfare, including banning fur farming, ending cosmetic testing on animals, passing the Hunting Act and introducing the landmark Animal Welfare Act.
The Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025 and developed under the exceptional leadership of Baroness Hayman of Ullock, is a remarkable Labour achievement. The comprehensive Strategy, which was celebrated by voters nationwide, provides the opportunity to build on the party’s proud legacy of protecting animals from cruelty by delivering lasting change. The reforms that now need to be implemented include ending trail hunting, stopping the import and sale of fur, phasing out the use of cages for hens and pigs, and strengthening protections for farmed animals, wildlife, companion animals and animals used in science.
LAWS urges Andy to make animal welfare a clear priority of his leadership and, as Prime Minister, to deliver Labour’s promised biggest boost to animal welfare in a generation, through the Animal Welfare Strategy, with renewed momentum.
We stand ready to work constructively with Andy and a government under his leadership to achieve it.
