Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram is en route to London to support his close friend and ally, Andy Burnham, who is expected to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Burnham, born in Merseyside, will be officially sworn in as the new Member of Parliament for the Makerfield constituency following his decisive by-election victory last Thursday.
Oath of Allegiance in the House of Commons
The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor will take the Oath of Allegiance in the House of Commons, a requirement for all new MPs before they can sit, speak, or vote. Burnham will be joined by family and friends, including long-term confidante Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Speaking on the train to the ECHO, Rotheram said: "I am on my way to London to watch my mate get sworn in. I am looking forward to a couple of days in the capital, although it is going to be very hot. We are going to watch Andy get sworn in and then will meet with him afterwards in his new office to take stock with him."
Ongoing Support and Future Ambitions
Rotheram emphasized their close relationship: "We speak every day, we always phone each other and I will be supporting him as much as I can." However, when asked about a potential role in Burnham's future administration, Rotheram stated he has no ambitions beyond his current role as leader of the Liverpool City Region.
Earlier, Rotheram paid tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, describing him as an "honourable man" who positioned the Labour Party strongly for a second term. His statement read: "Nobody would pretend that everything went exactly as we had hoped, but that should not detract from the successes we achieved together - record numbers of children lifted out poverty, the biggest strengthening of workers' rights in generations, and the first government in history to place devolution at the heart of its programme for national renewal."
Rotheram also expressed gratitude for Starmer's "humanity and personal support" after the Southport attack in 2024, adding: "He is an honourable man and he demonstrated that again today."
