Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is standing in the Makerfield by-election in June, a move that could pave the way for a third bid for the Labour Party leadership. Winning a seat as an MP would allow him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the top job.
According to Josh Halliday, the Guardian’s north of England editor, Burnham has repeatedly stated that “politics doesn’t work for most of the country” and that the UK has “far too much of a London-centric, over-centralised political system”. Halliday notes that Burnham has deliberately built a persona as a voice for those outside Westminster, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, earning him the nickname “king of the north”.
In recent weeks, Burnham has reportedly been telling people that he is “the only person who can save this country from Reform UK”, a bold claim given Reform’s strong showing in opinion polls. Halliday discusses Burnham’s political journey and what he actually stands for.
