Andy Burnham delivered an emotional goodbye to staff at his former office in Manchester today before heading down to London to be sworn in as an MP. The newly elected MP for Makerfield spoke to staff at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in the Tootal Buildings in the city centre, reflecting on his record in charge and his plans for the future.
Symbolic Timing
In a symbolic twist of fate, Mr Burnham’s speech at the GMCA offices happened at the same time as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was announcing his resignation at Downing Street live to the country. The departing mayor is widely expected to stand as the next Prime Minister and take over running the country after his victory in the Makerfield by-election.
He served as Greater Manchester mayor for nine years after being first elected to the job in 2017. Insiders at the GMCA said Mr Burnham spoke to staff this morning by reflecting on his time as the region’s mayor and the challenges faced in nearly a decade in charge, making references to major events such as the Manchester Arena attack, the Covid pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Key Messages
Mr Burnham told his former staff: “The next ten years must be about making sure that places in Greater Manchester like Makerfield don’t feel left behind and in decline.” He went on to say during the speech that the work achieved in Greater Manchester is ‘going to change the country’.
The emotional speech took a light-hearted turn when the Makerfield MP joked about not being able to wear his Adidas trainers in Parliament, and having to ‘return to the Westminster ways’ as an MP.
Departure to London
After the speech, Andy Burnham was whisked to Manchester Piccadilly train station to make his way down to London where he will be sworn in as an MP in Parliament. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service as he arrived at Piccadilly, he said: “Getting sworn in as MP for Makerfield is the most important thing today.”
