Prime Minister Andy Burnham has addressed a common question about his fashion choices, explaining why he is often seen wearing black. In a TikTok video, the Labour leader was asked why he 'always wears black.' Chuckling, he glanced down at his outfit and noted he was actually wearing dark blue that day.
'I do wear black sometimes,' he conceded. 'I think it's a middle-aged bloke thing, isn't it?'
Signature casual style
Since becoming Prime Minister in July 2026, Burnham has brought a more casual wardrobe to Westminster, often pictured in simple black T-shirts, dark V-neck jumpers, and navy workwear jackets. He stuck to this style during a meeting with Ukraine's President Zelensky on July 27, pairing a black T-shirt with a formal jacket. He also ditched his tie when visiting the Hare Inn in Harlow to announce a 20% cut in business rates.
When the occasion strictly calls for it, Burnham does wear a suit. For his first speech on the steps of 10 Downing Street, he wore a classic suit from British tailoring brand Oliver Brown. However, he appears most comfortable in dark colours and relaxed fits.
Public reaction
Many find Burnham's clothing choices relatable. Comments on the TikTok video included: 'Andy looks like a normal guy!' Another user wrote: 'You're just the bloke I could have a conversation with anywhere. Down to earth bloke.' A third added: 'Good to see a PM smiling. And appears so down to Earth.'
Early actions as Prime Minister
Since taking office, Burnham has focused on the cost of living and regional inequality. His early pledges include setting up 'No. 10 North' to move government administration out of London and push power into local communities. He has also announced plans to cap bus fares and cut business rates for pubs. On the day of the article, he made three key pledges to fix the social care crisis, inviting Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey to urgent talks.
Ahead of his speech, Burnham said: 'Politicians might have different views but I'm serious about fixing this issue and to do that, we have to find common ground and listen to others to find a way forward.'
