Prime Minister Andy Burnham fought back tears during an interview on ITV's This Morning after being asked about his father, who has Alzheimer's.
Appearing on the programme with hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, Burnham discussed his plans for adult social care in England and spoke openly about his dad's condition.
Emotional moment
When asked how his father was doing, Burnham replied, "He's ok," adding, "He's well looked after in the place that he is." Alison said his father must be "so proud," while Dermot commented, "And being Prime Minister!"
Burnham then shared a story from care home staff: "They 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.'"
Welling up, Burnham admitted: "It makes me a bit emotional." He continued, "I was with my mum and I was talking to my mum, talking about my dad a little bit."
Gratitude to parents
Alison responded, "They're our everything, our parents are our core values, they are our everything." Burnham added, "For me, I wouldn't be sitting here were it not for Roy and Eileen. They were everything, they made me and my brothers, they instilled everything. They also instilled Everton Football Club in my blood, I don't know if I thank them for that!"
Earlier on Wednesday, July 29, Burnham said he was “overwhelmed” by the caring teams looking after his father, as per the BBC. "To me, they should be the best paid people in society, not the worst," he said, adding, "I want those carers to know we appreciate you, we appreciate what you are doing to support people here [in the UK]."
This Morning airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
