Andy Burnham is now widely seen as the country's Prime Minister in waiting. After a weekend of pressure following Burnham's decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, Sir Keir Starmer announced his decision to step down as PM and Labour leader. Burnham is the overwhelming frontrunner to replace him after his main rival, Wes Streeting, threw his backing behind him. If no candidate secures enough parliamentary backing to trigger a leadership contest by nominations close on July 16, Burnham will become party leader in mid-July, turning the spotlight onto his background and family.
Marriage and Family Background
Burnham has been married to Marie-France van Heel for more than 25 years. They married in 2000 after meeting at Cambridge University's Fitzwilliam College in 1989. The couple have three children together: son Jimmy, now 26, and daughters Rosie, 24, and Annie, 21. Van Heel, known as Frankie to friends, is Dutch and also lived in Belgium before studying at Cambridge.
In the early days of their relationship, with Burnham's permission, she appeared on ITV's Blind Date hosted by Cilla Black. She later said she wanted to be a TV presenter and thought the show would raise her profile. She was set up with 'Will from Surrey', who Burnham later noted became director of communications for the Conservative Party.
Life in London and Move North
The couple lived in London in a two-up, two-down near Brixton when their first son Jimmy was born in March 2000. After marrying a few months later, Burnham became an MP and moved the family back up North, where daughters Rosie and Annie were born.
Career and Sustainability Work
Van Heel has worked in marketing for most of her career. She now sits on the board of Manchester-based public electric vehicle charging network Be.EV, where she is said to champion a fair and accessible transition to electric vehicle ownership. According to a profile on a humanitarian organisation's website, she speaks three languages and has travelled extensively. She was previously Chief Strategy Officer at branding consultancy Heavenly before leaving to follow her passion for sustainability and the green economy.
She has done significant charity work for Marie Curie, The Alzheimer’s Society, and Great Ormond Street Hospital. The profile notes she is 'politically active' and splits her time between the north west of England and London. It adds: 'Her two teenage daughters keep her on her toes and plugged into the various issues that young women are deeply passionate about.'
Public Appearances and Media Spotlight
Van Heel has largely shunned the spotlight but has occasionally accompanied her husband at public events, including his victory rally at Ashton Town Football Club on Friday following his win in the Makerfield by-election. As Burnham's leadership bid intensifies, more attention is expected on his family.
