Andy Burnham: Difference between revisions
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On 27 April 2016, the day after the Hillsborough inquest verdict that found the 96 Hillsborough deaths had occurred as a result of [[unlawful killing]], Burnham made a powerful speech to the House of Commons calling for those responsible to be held to account. Condemning [[South Yorkshire Police]], which had instigated a cover-up in the aftermath of the tragedy, he described the force as being "rotten to the core" while suggesting that the cover-up had been "advanced in the committee rooms of this House and in the press rooms of 10 Downing Street...What kind of country leaves people, who did no more than wave off their loved-ones to a football match, sitting in a courtroom, 27 years later, begging for the reputation of their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and fathers? The answer is one that needs to do some deep soul-searching". The eleven minute statement drew applause from MPs, a response that is generally against convention at Westminster.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Stuart |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/andy-burnhams-11-minute-speech-11252538 |title=Andy Burnham's 11-minute speech on Hillsborough that left the Commons silent – and drew a round of applause |publisher=Trinity Mirror |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=27 April 2016 |accessdate=1 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Charlie |last=Cooper |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hillsborough-verdict-andy-burnham-demands-south-yorkshire-police-chief-resigns-in-extraordinary-a7003536.html |title=Hillsborough verdict: Andy Burnham demands South Yorkshire police chief resigns in extraordinary speech |publisher=Independent Print Limited |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 April 2016 |accessdate=1 May 2016}}</ref> |
On 27 April 2016, the day after the Hillsborough inquest verdict that found the 96 Hillsborough deaths had occurred as a result of [[unlawful killing]], Burnham made a powerful speech to the House of Commons calling for those responsible to be held to account. Condemning [[South Yorkshire Police]], which had instigated a cover-up in the aftermath of the tragedy, he described the force as being "rotten to the core" while suggesting that the cover-up had been "advanced in the committee rooms of this House and in the press rooms of 10 Downing Street...What kind of country leaves people, who did no more than wave off their loved-ones to a football match, sitting in a courtroom, 27 years later, begging for the reputation of their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and fathers? The answer is one that needs to do some deep soul-searching". The eleven minute statement drew applause from MPs, a response that is generally against convention at Westminster.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Stuart |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/andy-burnhams-11-minute-speech-11252538 |title=Andy Burnham's 11-minute speech on Hillsborough that left the Commons silent – and drew a round of applause |publisher=Trinity Mirror |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=27 April 2016 |accessdate=1 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Charlie |last=Cooper |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hillsborough-verdict-andy-burnham-demands-south-yorkshire-police-chief-resigns-in-extraordinary-a7003536.html |title=Hillsborough verdict: Andy Burnham demands South Yorkshire police chief resigns in extraordinary speech |publisher=Independent Print Limited |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 April 2016 |accessdate=1 May 2016}}</ref> |
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On 25 April 2017 as his Final Act of Parliament, he delivered an adjournment debate that lasted over an hour on the [[Tainted_blood_scandal_(United_Kingdom)|Contaminated Blood Scandal]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Contaminated Blood - Hansard Online|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2017-04-25/debates/3AE7573D-7990-4A16-B375-A1AB786F90AE/ContaminatedBlood|website=hansard.parliament.uk|language=en}}</ref>. Mr Burnham used the debate to present a raft of evidence stating "this scandal amounts to a criminal cover-up on an industrial scale" and that "These are criminal acts". He said that if the Government did not set up an Investigation into the scandal that he would refer his evidence to the Police.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weaver|first1=Matthew|title=Andy Burnham demands NHS contaminated blood inquiry|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/apr/26/andy-burnham-demands-nhs-contaminated-blood-inquiry|website=The Guardian|date=26 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NHS contaminated blood was 'criminal cover-up' - Burnham|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39713396|website=BBC News|date=26 April 2017}}</ref>. |
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==Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–present)== |
==Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–present)== |
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The issue of [[homelessness]] in Greater Manchester was a major focus of Burnham's mayoral campaign. He pledged to donate 15% of his mayoral salary to charities tackling homelessness if elected.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Jennifer|title=Mayor candidate says he'll give 15pc of salary to fight homelessness|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mayor-candidate-andy-burnham-says-12417660|accessdate=16 May 2017|work=Manchester Evening News|date=6 January 2017}}</ref> After his election he outlined his plan to launch a "homelessness fund", with money going homeless charities and mental health and rehabilitation services.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Sophie|title=Burnham launches homelessness fund after election win|url=http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/burnham-launches-homelessness-fund-after-election-win/7019921.article|accessdate=16 May 2017|work=Inside Housing|date=8 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> |
The issue of [[homelessness]] in Greater Manchester was a major focus of Burnham's mayoral campaign. He pledged to donate 15% of his mayoral salary to charities tackling homelessness if elected.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Jennifer|title=Mayor candidate says he'll give 15pc of salary to fight homelessness|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mayor-candidate-andy-burnham-says-12417660|accessdate=16 May 2017|work=Manchester Evening News|date=6 January 2017}}</ref> After his election he outlined his plan to launch a "homelessness fund", with money going homeless charities and mental health and rehabilitation services.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Sophie|title=Burnham launches homelessness fund after election win|url=http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/burnham-launches-homelessness-fund-after-election-win/7019921.article|accessdate=16 May 2017|work=Inside Housing|date=8 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> |
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On 10 May 2017 he featured in an episode of BBC Panorama called "Contaminated Blood:The Search for the Truth".<ref>{{cite web|title=Contaminated Blood: The Search for the Truth, Panorama - BBC One|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08qhmhc|website=BBC}}</ref>. |
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Burnham responded to the [[Manchester Arena bombing]] on 23 May 2017, calling it an "evil act", while praising the "best immediate response" of local people, and thanking the emergency services.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Palazzo|first1=Chiara|last2=Burke|first2=Louise|title='An attack on innocents': World reacts with shock and horror to Manchester explosion|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/manchester-arena-shock-disbelief-police-confirm-19-killed-terrorist/|accessdate=23 May 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=23 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mills|first1=Jen Mills|title=Manchester bombing was 'evil' attack targeting children, Andy Burnham says|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/23/manchester-bombing-was-evil-attack-targeting-children-andy-burnham-says-6654837/|accessdate=23 May 2017|work=Metro|date=23 May 2017}}</ref> He later announced a vigil to be held in Manchester's Albert Square the following evening.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-manchester-40007967|title=Manchester Arena explosion: Latest updates|date=23 May 2017|work=BBC News|accessdate=23 May 2017}}</ref> |
Burnham responded to the [[Manchester Arena bombing]] on 23 May 2017, calling it an "evil act", while praising the "best immediate response" of local people, and thanking the emergency services.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Palazzo|first1=Chiara|last2=Burke|first2=Louise|title='An attack on innocents': World reacts with shock and horror to Manchester explosion|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/manchester-arena-shock-disbelief-police-confirm-19-killed-terrorist/|accessdate=23 May 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=23 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mills|first1=Jen Mills|title=Manchester bombing was 'evil' attack targeting children, Andy Burnham says|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/23/manchester-bombing-was-evil-attack-targeting-children-andy-burnham-says-6654837/|accessdate=23 May 2017|work=Metro|date=23 May 2017}}</ref> He later announced a vigil to be held in Manchester's Albert Square the following evening.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-manchester-40007967|title=Manchester Arena explosion: Latest updates|date=23 May 2017|work=BBC News|accessdate=23 May 2017}}</ref> |
Revision as of 10:38, 28 May 2017
Andy Burnham | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mayor of Greater Manchester | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed office 8 May 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deputy | Sir Richard Leese The Baroness Hughes of Stretford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Tony Lloyd (Interim) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Secretary of State for Health | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 5 June 2009 – 11 May 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister | Gordon Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Alan Johnson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Andrew Lansley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 24 January 2008 – 5 June 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister | Gordon Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | James Purnell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Ben Bradshaw | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Secretary to the Treasury | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 28 June 2007 – 24 January 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister | Gordon Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chancellor | Alistair Darling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Stephen Timms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Yvette Cooper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Member of Parliament for Leigh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 7 June 2001 – 3 May 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Lawrence Cunliffe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Election in progress | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Majority | 14,096 (31.2%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Andrew Murray Burnham 7 January 1970 Aintree, England, UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Labour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Marie-France van Heel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | Official website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew Murray Burnham (born 7 January 1970) is a British politician and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, in office since May 2017. Burnham was previously the Member of Parliament (MP) for Leigh from 2001 to 2017. He is a member of the Labour Party.
Born in the Old Roan area of Aintree, Merseyside, on the border of Liverpool, Burnham was educated at local comprehensive schools and graduated with a degree in English from Fitzwilliam College at the University of Cambridge. He worked as a researcher for Tessa Jowell from 1994 to 1997, then working for the NHS Confederation in 1997 and as an administrator for the Football Task Force in 1998. The same year, he became a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Chris Smith, a position he held until 2001.
After the retirement of Lawrence Cunliffe, the Labour MP for Leigh, Burnham was elected to succeed him in 2001. He was a member of the Health Select Committee from 2001 until 2003, then serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Home Secretary David Blunkett until 2004, when he became PPS to Education Secretary Ruth Kelly. He was promoted to serve in the Government after the 2005 election as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Home Office. In 2006, Burnham was moved to become a Minister of State at the Department of Health.
When Gordon Brown became Prime Minister in 2007, Burnham was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, a position he held until 2008, when he became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. In 2009, he was promoted again to become Secretary of State for Health. In that role, he opposed further privatisation of NHS services and launched an independent inquiry into the Stafford Hospital scandal. After the Labour Party's defeat in the 2010 general election, Burnham was a candidate in the 2010 Labour leadership election, coming fourth out of five candidates. The contest was won by Ed Miliband. Burnham served as Shadow Secretary of State for Health until late 2010, when he was moved by Miliband to become Shadow Secretary of State for Education. He held that role for a year, then returning to the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Health.
After the 2015 general election, in which Labour lost to the Conservative Party, Miliband resigned as leader. Burnham launched his campaign to succeed Miliband in the resulting September 2015 leadership election. He finished a distant second behind Jeremy Corbyn.[1] Following the defeat, he accepted a role in Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Home Secretary. In May 2016 Burnham announced his candidacy to become Labour's candidate for the Greater Manchester Mayoralty and was selected in August 2016.[2] He resigned as Shadow Home Secretary in October 2016.
The mayoral election was held in May 2017 and the declaration of the June 2017 general election during the local campaign led him to stand down as an MP.[3]
Early life and education
Burnham was born in Old Roan in Aintree, Lancashire (now Merseyside), in 1970,[4] the son of a telephone engineer father and receptionist mother. He was brought up in Culcheth, Warrington, Cheshire and educated at St Lewis Catholic Primary School, Culcheth and St Aelred's Roman Catholic High School, Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside. He studied English at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge.[5] He is the honorary President of the Cambridge Universities Labour Club.[6]
Early political career
Burnham joined the Labour Party in 1984 when he was 14.[7] From 1994 until the 1997 general election he was a researcher for Tessa Jowell. He joined the Transport and General Workers' Union in 1995. After the 1997 election, he was a parliamentary officer for the NHS Confederation from August to December 1997, before taking up the post as an administrator with the Football Task Force for a year.[8]
In 1998, he became a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Chris Smith, a position he remained in until he was elected to the House of Commons in 2001.
Member of Parliament
After the retirement of Lawrence Cunliffe, Burnham applied to be the parliamentary candidate for the safe Labour seat of Leigh in Greater Manchester. Burnham secured selection to contest the seat at the next general election. At the 2001 election he was elected with a majority of 16,362, and gave his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 4 July 2001.[9]
Following his election to Parliament, Burnham was a member of the Health Select Committee from 2001 until 2003, when he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Home Secretary David Blunkett. After Blunkett's first resignation in 2004, he became PPS to Education Secretary Ruth Kelly.
Her Majesty's Government (2005–2010)
Burnham was promoted to serve in the Government after the 2005 election as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, with responsibility for implementing the Identity Cards Act 2006. In the government reshuffle of 5 May 2006, he was moved from the Home Office and promoted to Minister of State at the Department of Health. In Gordon Brown's first cabinet, announced on 28 June 2007, Burnham was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, a position he held until 2008. During his time at the Treasury, he helped author the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.[10]
Brown Cabinet (2008–2010)
In a re-shuffle in January 2008, Burnham was promoted to the position of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, replacing James Purnell.[11] In June 2008, he apologised to the director of pressure group Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, after she threatened to sue him for libel for smearing her reputation.[12]
In late 2008, Burnham announced government plans to tighten controls on internet content in order to "even up" what he claimed was an imbalance with TV regulations.[13][14][15] The announcement was followed by a speech to the music industry's lobbying group, UK Music, in which he announced "a time that calls for partnership between Government and the music business as a whole: one with rewards for both of us; one with rewards for society as a whole. (...) My job – Government's job – is to preserve the value in the system."[16]
In April 2009 after being heckled at the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster Burnham used the next day's cabinet meeting in Downing Street to ask then Prime Minister Gordon Brown if he could raise the issue of Hillsborough in Parliament. Brown agreed despite it not being on the agenda or on the government's radar.[17] The eventual result was the second Hillsborough inquiry. In 2014 when Burnham spoke at the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster he was cheered and applauded by the crowd.[18]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Andrew_Burnham%2C_September_2009_3.jpg/220px-Andrew_Burnham%2C_September_2009_3.jpg)
Burnham was again promoted becoming Secretary of State for Health in June 2009. He held the post until the Labour government resigned after the 2010 general election.
In July 2009, a month after he became Health Secretary, Burnham launched an independent inquiry chaired by the QC Robert Francis into unusually high mortality rates at Stafford Hospital.[19] The inquiry found systematic failures at the hospital, and was critical of care provided by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.[20][21] A wider public inquiry, again led by Robert Francis, was launched in 2010 by his successor as Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley. It found serious failings at the hospital but concluded it would be "misleading" to link those failings to a particular number of deaths.[22][23] After leaving office, reports claimed that Burnham and his predecessor as Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, had rejected 81 requests for an inquiry sitting in public to examine the high rate of deaths at Stafford hospital.[24] According to The Daily Telegraph, after initial concerns were raised about links between mortality rates and standards of care in 2005, there were up to 2800 more deaths than expected across 14 NHS trusts highlighted as having unusually high death rates.[24] These figures for deaths were however discredited. A report, the Keogh Review, following an investigation into the 14 NHS trusts by Bruce Keogh, described the use of such statistical measures as "clinically meaningless and academically reckless".
Burnham was criticised during the 2010 election campaign after leaflets were sent to 250,000 women – some of whom turned out to be cancer patients – featuring a message from a breast cancer survivor who praised Labour's health policy. Burnham denied that specific cancer patients had been targeted.[25]
Her Majesty's Opposition (2010–2017)
First leadership campaign (2010)
Burnham became Shadow Secretary of State for Health after May 2010 following the defeat of Gordon Brown's government. Following Brown's resignation as Leader of the Labour Party, Burnham declared his intention to stand in the subsequent leadership contest.[26] He launched his leadership campaign in his Leigh constituency on 26 May.[27] Burnham led on his philosophy of 'aspirational socialism', aligning himself with Intern Aware's campaign to end unpaid internships. He made key policy commitments to the creation of a National Care Service and called for inheritance tax to be replaced with a land value tax. Burnham finished fourth, eliminated on the second ballot with 10.41% of the vote. The leadership contest was won by Ed Miliband.
At the end of September 2010, Burnham criticised Prime Minister David Cameron for the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government's public spending cuts and health reforms to the NHS.[28]
Miliband Shadow Cabinet (2010–2015)
In October 2010, Burnham was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and election co-ordinator for the Labour Party. As Shadow Education Secretary, Burnham opposed the coalition government's plans for "free schools". He argued for moving the education system back towards a comprehensive system.[29]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Andy_Burnham_MP_NHS_Confederation_conference_2014.jpg/220px-Andy_Burnham_MP_NHS_Confederation_conference_2014.jpg)
One day short of a year later, he was appointed again to his former role of Shadow Secretary of State for Health, and held the role until 2015.
In July 2013 The Daily Telegraph reported that Burnham's staff had edited his Wikipedia page to remove criticisms of his handling of the Stafford Hospital scandal. Burnham's office claimed they had removed false statements that had been drawn to their attention.[30]
Second leadership campaign (2015)
On 13 May 2015, Burnham announced that he would stand to replace Ed Miliband in the 2015 leadership election.[31] He stressed the need to unite the party and country and "rediscover the beating heart of Labour."[32]
Burnham attracted press criticism for claiming £17,000 a year from the taxpayer to rent a London flat, despite owning another within walking distance of the House of Commons. A spokesperson for Burnham said that renting out the original flat was necessary to "cover his costs" as parliamentary rule changes meant he was no longer able to claim for mortgage interest expenses.[33]
Burnham was criticised for jokingly saying that Labour should have a woman leader "when the time is right", with the New Statesman saying that he had "tripped over his mouth again". He also said that he would resign from the Shadow Cabinet if Labour supported leaving NATO, something which current leader Jeremy Corbyn wishes to do.[34][35]
Burnham came second (out of four) to Jeremy Corbyn in the election, gaining 19% of the vote in the first round, compared to 59% for Corbyn.[1]
Corbyn Shadow Cabinet (2015–2017)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Andy_Burnham%2C_2016_Labour_Party_Conference_1.jpg/170px-Andy_Burnham%2C_2016_Labour_Party_Conference_1.jpg)
On 13 September 2015, Burnham accepted an appointment as Shadow Home Secretary in the first Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn and remained in the role after the 2016 reshuffle.[36]
On 27 April 2016, the day after the Hillsborough inquest verdict that found the 96 Hillsborough deaths had occurred as a result of unlawful killing, Burnham made a powerful speech to the House of Commons calling for those responsible to be held to account. Condemning South Yorkshire Police, which had instigated a cover-up in the aftermath of the tragedy, he described the force as being "rotten to the core" while suggesting that the cover-up had been "advanced in the committee rooms of this House and in the press rooms of 10 Downing Street...What kind of country leaves people, who did no more than wave off their loved-ones to a football match, sitting in a courtroom, 27 years later, begging for the reputation of their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and fathers? The answer is one that needs to do some deep soul-searching". The eleven minute statement drew applause from MPs, a response that is generally against convention at Westminster.[37][38]
On 25 April 2017 as his Final Act of Parliament, he delivered an adjournment debate that lasted over an hour on the Contaminated Blood Scandal[39]. Mr Burnham used the debate to present a raft of evidence stating "this scandal amounts to a criminal cover-up on an industrial scale" and that "These are criminal acts". He said that if the Government did not set up an Investigation into the scandal that he would refer his evidence to the Police.[40][41].
Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–present)
On 5 May 2016, a spokesperson for Burnham confirmed that he had been approached by party officials in Greater Manchester, asking him to consider resigning from the Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn in order to run in the upcoming mayoral election in 2017. It was also stated that, "it is early days and no decision has been taken," but that one would be made in coming weeks.[42] It was speculated by some in the press that a decision to resign from Jeremy Corbyn's team could coincide with a poor performance by Labour in the local elections held on the same day.[43]
On 18 May 2016, he confirmed that he was running for Mayor.[44] Burnham was selected as the Labour candidate in August 2016.[2] In September 2016, Burnham said that he would resign as Shadow Home Secretary once a replacement had been found, in order to concentrate on his mayoral bid.[45] He was succeeded by Diane Abbott in October. Burnham said, if elected as Manchester mayor, he would resign his seat as the member of parliament for Leigh. However, the 2017 general election was declared a fortnight before the mayoral election; Burnham did not stand as a candidate.[3]
Burnham was elected to the new role of Mayor of Greater Manchester on 5 May 2017. He received 63% of the vote, winning majorities in all ten Greater Manchester Boroughs.[46] In his mayoral victory speech he stated, "[Politics] has been too London-centric for too long … Greater Manchester is going to take control. We are going to change politics and make it work better for people."[47]
The issue of homelessness in Greater Manchester was a major focus of Burnham's mayoral campaign. He pledged to donate 15% of his mayoral salary to charities tackling homelessness if elected.[48] After his election he outlined his plan to launch a "homelessness fund", with money going homeless charities and mental health and rehabilitation services.[49]
On 10 May 2017 he featured in an episode of BBC Panorama called "Contaminated Blood:The Search for the Truth".[50].
Burnham responded to the Manchester Arena bombing on 23 May 2017, calling it an "evil act", while praising the "best immediate response" of local people, and thanking the emergency services.[51][52] He later announced a vigil to be held in Manchester's Albert Square the following evening.[53]
Political views
Burnham has said that he joined the Labour Party at the age of 14 after having been "radicalised" by the miners' strike of 1984–85.[54] Ideologically, he identifies as a Socialist.[55][56] In his 2010 leadership bid Burnham emphasised his philosophy of 'aspirational socialism',[56] which he described as redistributive, collectivist and internationalist.[57] He is a strong opponent of nationalism (as promoted by the Scottish National Party) and referred to it as an "ugly brand of politics".[58]
Burnham is a feminist; he also supports the use of all-women shortlists for parliamentary candidate selections.[59] He is also a supporter of LGBT rights and voted in favour of same-sex marriage in 2013.[60] In an interview in The Daily Telegraph in October 2007, Burnham said: "I think it's better when children are in a home where their parents are married" and "it's not wrong that the tax system should recognise commitment and marriage", creating controversy because his views replicated the policies of the Conservative Party.[61]
In his 2015 leadership bid, Burnham pledged to commit Labour to "a policy of progressive renationalisation of the railway system".[62][63] Burnham also favours a universal graduate tax to replace student tuition fees,[64] and voted against the most recent increase in fees.[65] He has advocated a 'National Care Service', integrating care services into the National Health Service.[66] Burnham's key economic policies in his leadership bid included a new levy to fund social care, extending the higher minimum wage to all ages (it currently only applies to those over 25), and banning zero-hour contracts.[67] Burnham described the mansion tax proposed by Ed Miliband as "the politics of envy", saying he knew it would lose votes when his mother phoned and told him it represented a return to the 1970s.[68]
Burnham is a strong supporter of devolving power from Westminster. In his 2015 leadership campaign he criticised the "Westminster Bubble"[69]— the London-centric focus in British politics and perceived detachment from life outside of Westminster. However, some opponents and political commentators accused him of being a part of the same Bubble that he criticises.[70] He views devolution of powers to Greater Manchester (including an elected mayor) as an opportunity for urban regeneration. He also called for a focus on Northern identity.[71] After he was elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester, he described the new powers for northern cities as "the dawn of a new era".[47]
Personal life
Burnham has a brother, Nick, who is the principal of Cardinal Newman College, one of the top performing colleges within the UK. Burnham married Marie-France van Heel, who is Dutch,[72] in 2000, having been in a relationship since university.[61] The couple have a son and two daughters. Burnham was raised as a Roman Catholic.[73] In the 2015 leadership contest he praised Pope Francis, but urged the Pontiff to promote a progressive stance on gay rights.[74] In a newspaper interview during the contest he stated that he had been repeatedly at odds with the Catholic Church all the time that he had been an MP and that this had resulted in strained personal relationships.[75]
Burnham was the honorary chairman of Leigh Rugby League Club for a short time. Burnham was a talented junior cricketer (playing for Lancashire CCC Juniors) and keen footballer, and competed at both sports for his college. He has played for Labour's "Demon Eyes" football team and is a lifelong fan of Premier League football club Everton.[76][77] In July 2003, Burnham played for Conference club Leigh RMI in a pre-season friendly against Everton.[78] He came on as an 88th minute substitute for Neil Robinson in the 1–1 draw at Hilton Park.[78]
References
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- ^ a b "Burnham Picked As Manchester Mayor Candidate".
- ^ a b "Andy Burnham says he won't stand again as Leigh MP regardless of mayoral election outcome". ITV News. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ "Andy's biography from his Andy4Leader web-site". Archived from the original on 5 July 2010.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Students urge Burnham to shun Cambridge Union after Le Pen visit". 19 February 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "Tougher than he appears; Andy Burnham tells Ian Hernon that politics is lacking leaders people can relate to". The Free Library. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "House of Commons Hansard; vol 371, part 14, col 333". Hansard. Parliament of the United Kingdom. 4 July 2001. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Andy Burnham: Labour spending was not profligate". The Guardian. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Sometimes a problem really is an opportunity... for others". Times Online. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Percival, Jenny (23 June 2008). "Chakrabarti-Davis row: Liberty head accepts letter of apology from Burnham". theguardian.com. London: Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Sweney, Mark (26 September 2008). "Government to tighten up web controls". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "The medium and the message". BBC News. 1 October 2008. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Holmwood, Leigh (11 June 2008). "Andy Burnham hints at tighter control of online content". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Andy Burnham and Charlie McCreevy speak at UK Music's first creators' conference Archived 16 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Johnson, Mark (16 April 2014). "ough disaster speaks of his pride". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
Roy Dixon was singled out for praise by Andy Burnham MP at yesterday's Hillsborough memorial service
- ^ McCarthy, Mike (15 April 2014). "Liverpool Remembers Hillsborough Disaster". Sky News. British Sky Broadcasting. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Fresh inquiry at failing hospital". BBC. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ Sarah Boseley (24 February 2010). "Mid Staffordshire NHS trust left patients humiliated and in pain". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ Robert Francis QC (24 February 2010). Robert Francis Inquiry report into Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. House of Commons. ISBN 978-0-10-296439-4. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ^ "How many people died "unnecessarily" at Mid Staffs". Full Fact. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ Robert Francis QC (24 February 2010), "Volume I, Section G: Mortality statistics", Independent Inquiry into care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust January 2005 – March 2009 (PDF), The Stationery Office, p. 352, ISBN 978-0-10-296439-4, HC375-I, retrieved 9 November 2010,
it has been concluded that it would be unsafe to infer from the figures that there was any particular number or range of numbers of avoidable or unnecessary deaths at the Trust.
- ^ a b Mason, Rowena (17 February 2013). "Mid Staffs: Labour Government ignored MP requests for public inquiry into deaths". The Daily Telegraph. London.
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(help) - ^ Hastings, Chris; Chittenden, Maurice; Mann, Nyta (11 April 2010). "Labour attacked over mailshot to cancer patients". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Andy Burnham and Diane Abbott join Labour leadership race". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|newspaper=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ Burnham seeks to stand out from leadership crowd BBC News, 26 May 2010
- ^ Randeep, Ramesh (1 October 2010). "Health secretary rebuts Labour criticisms over NHS plans". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
{{cite news}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Tickle, Louise (9 November 2010). "Andy Burnham, advocate for the comprehensive system". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ Hall, Melanie (21 July 2013). "Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham's staff deleted 'negative' Wikipedia references". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009.
{{cite news}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Dathan, Matt (13 May 2015). "Andy Burnham becomes third candidate to declare Labour leadership bid". The Independent. London. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ "Andy Burnham: We must find 'heart of Labour'". BBC News. 13 May 2015.
- ^ Tufft, Ben (24 May 2015). "Andy Burnham claims £17,000 a year in rent for London flat – despite owning another that's walking distance from Westminster". Independent. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "Andy Burnham: Labour should have a woman leader "when the time is right"". 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Burnham 'would resign from Corbyn cabinet' over Nato and Trident stance". 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn names Andy Burnham shadow home secretary". BBC News. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Stuart, Andrew (27 April 2016). "Andy Burnham's 11-minute speech on Hillsborough that left the Commons silent – and drew a round of applause". Manchester Evening News. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ Cooper, Charlie (27 April 2016). "Hillsborough verdict: Andy Burnham demands South Yorkshire police chief resigns in extraordinary speech". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Contaminated Blood - Hansard Online". hansard.parliament.uk.
- ^ Weaver, Matthew (26 April 2017). "Andy Burnham demands NHS contaminated blood inquiry". The Guardian.
- ^ "NHS contaminated blood was 'criminal cover-up' - Burnham". BBC News. 26 April 2017.
- ^ Faisal Islam (5 May 2016). "Burnham Preparing To Run For Manchester Mayor". Sky News.
- ^ Raziye Akkoc (5 May 2016). "UK local elections results: Andy Burnham could quit shadow cabinet to be Manchester mayor as Labour predicted to lose 100 seats". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ McCann, Kate (18 May 2016). "Andy Burnham confirms he will run for Mayor of Manchester". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Labour's Andy Burnham quits shadow cabinet to focus on Manchester mayoral bid".
- ^ Williams, Jennifer (5 May 2017). "Andy Burnham elected as Greater Manchester's mayor". men. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
- ^ a b Illingworth, James (5 May 2017). "Mayor Andy Burnham's victory speech - Manchester 1 Liverpool 0". Wigan Today. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ Williams, Jennifer (6 January 2017). "Mayor candidate says he'll give 15pc of salary to fight homelessness". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ Barnes, Sophie (8 May 2017). "Burnham launches homelessness fund after election win". Inside Housing. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Contaminated Blood: The Search for the Truth, Panorama - BBC One". BBC.
- ^ Palazzo, Chiara; Burke, Louise (23 May 2017). "'An attack on innocents': World reacts with shock and horror to Manchester explosion". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ Mills, Jen Mills (23 May 2017). "Manchester bombing was 'evil' attack targeting children, Andy Burnham says". Metro. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Manchester Arena explosion: Latest updates". BBC News. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Who is Andy Burnham? In 90 seconds". The Daily Telegraph. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ ""Why I am a Socialist", by the leadership candidates". Next Left. June 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ a b Stratton, Allegra; Wintour, Patrick (1 July 2010). "Andy Burnham's Labour leadership bid based on a return to socialist values". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- ^ "Andy Burnham launches "Aspirational Socialism" manifesto". labourlist.org. LabourList. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Solidarity not separation declares Burnham as he calls Nationalism an "ugly brand of politics"". Herald Scotland. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ Fisher, Lucy (13 April 2014). "The Government has a women problem – and its down to the feminist men to fix it". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Andy Burnham MP, Leigh – Gay rights". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ a b Sylvester, Rachel; Thomson, Alice (15 October 2007). "Marriage is important, children do notice". Telegraph.co.uk. London: Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
{{cite news}}
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- ^ "Andy Burnham pledges to renationalise railway network". BBC News. BBC. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- ^ "Andy Burnham plans commission for graduate tax and 'care levy'". PoliticsHome.com. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Andy Burnham MP, Leigh". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ Burke, Stephen (2 October 2009). "National care service – what's the big idea?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Andy Burnham's ten key economic policies".
- ^ "Andy Burnham: I knew 'spiteful' mansion tax was toxic when Mum phoned to complain". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ editor, Helen Pidd Northern (11 August 2015). "Andy Burnham: 'I've never been part of the Westminster in-crowd'". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
{{cite news}}
:|last1=
has generic name (help) - ^ Cowley, Jason (24 June 2015). "Andy Burnham thinks he is an outsider but he's really just another member of the Guild". New Statesman. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ Burnham, Andy (1 March 2017). "Andy Burnham: northern devolution should follow the example of Wales, not Scotland". New Statesman.
- ^ "The reality of a dream job". Guardian. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Merrick, Jane (24 March 2013). "Keep the faith, Andy Burnham tells NHS and Church". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
- ^ Saul, Heather (27 May 2015). "Andy Burnham urges Pope Francis to back same-sex marriage and bring the Catholic Church 'into the 21st century'". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Interview: Andy Burnham addresses 'hurtful' attacks on his equality record". Pinknews.co.uk. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ Labour MP (22 October 2002). "Andy Burnham". BBC News. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
{{cite news}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Brown, Colin (20 June 2008). "Andy Burnham: The Mr Nice Guy who talked his way into a nasty situation". The Independent. London: Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
{{cite news}}
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External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Andy Burnham MP Official constituency website
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard 1803–2005
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
- Audio clips
- Interview with GMR after 2005 election BBC Manchester
- Video clips
- Delivering 18 week NHS target YouTube
- Use dmy dates from May 2012
- 1970 births
- Living people
- Alumni of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- British special advisers
- British socialists
- British feminists
- Male feminists
- Socialist feminists
- English Roman Catholics
- Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies
- People from Warrington
- Politicians from Liverpool
- Secretaries of State for Health (UK)
- UK MPs 2001–05
- UK MPs 2005–10
- UK MPs 2010–15
- UK MPs 2015–17
- Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom