Andy Burnham became visibly emotional during an appearance on ITV's This Morning, just days after replacing Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. The former Greater Manchester mayor joined presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on Wednesday's edition.
Father's Alzheimer's Brings Prime Minister to Tears
Burnham struggled to speak when the discussion turned to his beloved father, Roy Burnham, who has Alzheimer’s and does not know that his son will become the next prime minister. He previously told The Times that his father is unaware that he will take office on Monday.
“That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” the prime minister said. “The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
Social Care Plans Based on Personal Experience
During the show, Burnham had spoken about his plans for adult social care across England, based on his own experience of meeting carers for his father, who is living with Alzheimer's.
When Alison and Dermot enquired about his dad's wellbeing, Burnham responded: "He's ok." He added: "He's well looked after in the place that he is."
Alison said that his father must be "so proud", remarking: "He must be so proud of you now, look at you now, on This Morning," while Dermot interjected: "And being Prime Minister!"
Care Home Staff's Heartwarming Gesture
Burnham continued: "He would... I don't know if he knows, obviously. The care home staff said something wonderful to me at the weekend."
"They said, on the day that I went to Downing Street, they got him right in front of the television, and a few of them said, 'Look Roy, look'."
The prime minister fought back tears, as he admitted: "It makes me a bit emotional. I was with my mum and I was talking to my mum, talking about my dad a little bit."
Offering her sympathy, Alison responded: "They're our everything, our parents are our core values, they are our everything."
