ANDY Burnham has been challenged by a Leigh resident on the panel of BBC's Question time.

Lee McStein, aged 29, attended BBC's Question Time on April 2 in Salford ahead of the leaders debate to ask what has happened to the unity in the UK.

Mr McStein asked why political parties, people and geographical areas want to break away from each other as has been discussed by Leigh residents wanting to break away from Wigan.

The panel, which comprised of Michael Gove, Andy Burnham, Danny Alexander, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Peter Hitchens and political broadcaster David Dimbleby responded to the questions put forward by the public.

In response to Mr McSteins question Andy Burnham made it clear that he is against "political borders" and wants people to work together collectively and internationally.

Andy Burnham said: "All my politics is about fighting against that [devolution].

"Collectivism working together and internationalism has got to be a better future for us locally and this country as a whole.

"Devolution is happening all over Europe because in difficult times people start to look more inward and become a bit more insular and I think that is happening as you rightly say at an international national and more local level.

" I worry about nationalism in any form.

"I don't believe in politics based on borders on the ground that says we are different from them and therefore we will define ourselves against them and separate ourselves from them.

"Politics is about people and collective interests and working together across borders that is why what is happening is really divisive and once you have got that negative energy and negative momentum in politics you just start polarising everyone and everything starts breaking up and that’s what’s beginning to happen."

Meanwhile Danny Alexander said that "de centralisation and devolution of power is part of having a fairer society and giving people more control over what happens in their local areas."

Speaking after the show Mental health worker Mr McStein from Selbourne Steet in Leigh said: "I was quite surprised to be picked to ask a question, but I do find the lack of unity in both the local area and across the country worrying.

"As a mental health worker and someone who is involved in a number of local projects, I rely heavily on a strong community spirit, and feel that this is under threat from this sort of fractious attitude."