On a blisteringly hot day in St Helens, Paul Foster is heading into the big Asda store on the edge of the town centre. Before he makes it inside, we stop to ask him about the dramatic political developments that will soon see a man who lives just 15 minutes down the road entering Number 10 Downing Street.
Andy Burnham's current home in Golborne is seven miles east of St Helens, along the East Lancs Road. If you take the same road west for 11 miles, you will find his birthplace in Aintree. It would not be unfair to call this prime Burnham country — and everyone knows him here.
Plenty rate him too. "He seems capable. He's run a big city for a while and he's done a good job," says Paul. "I was in Manchester recently and it is brilliant. It is a big challenge being Prime Minister but fingers crossed, I hope he does well."
Labour's Decline in a Traditional Stronghold
If Burnham is to be a successful Labour leader once he inevitably takes the reins — and the keys to Downing Street — next month, he will need to win back towns like this one. Having run St Helens for the best part of the past half a century, at last month's local elections Labour was all but wiped out, with just two elected councillors left in position.
Reform UK won 34 of the 48 seats on the council, seizing full control and immediately implementing a right-wing agenda that has seen the local authority's funding and support for LGBT Pride and Refugee Week events cancelled over the past month.
There are similarities — and therefore hope — for Labour to take from Burnham's stonking victory in nearby Makerfield this month. Both are classic post-industrial areas where industry has dried up or declined — the kind Reform has been gleefully prising from Labour's clutches.
Local Residents Voice Their Views
Paul was not one of those who voted for Nigel Farage's party. He adds: "Cancelling Pride and events like that, they did that for no reason. They are just trying to show who they are, which isn't very nice."
Making her way out of Asda with a trolley packed with shopping is Maureen. She also has little time for Reform and their leader. "Farage? Oh no," she exclaims. "I'm not comfortable with Reform being in here in St Helens."
But that does not mean she is certain about Andy Burnham either. She confesses she feels a bit sorry for Keir Starmer, who earlier this week announced he would be resigning as Prime Minister after those dismal local election results last month and a slew of ministerial resignations. "I don't think they gave him a chance really, I think he should have been given a bit longer," says Maureen. And what about Burnham? "Well he talks the talk so let's see if he can walk the walk. Being the Mayor of Manchester isn't the same as being Prime Minister is it? He seems charismatic but it is a big job."
Divergent Opinions Among Long-Married Couples
Further into the town centre, married couple Dave and Frieda Ward are a fine example of how married couples can agreeably disagree — maybe why they have been together for 66 years. While Dave, 88, has "never voted Labour in his life," his wife is from a strong Labour family — although she has not been impressed of late. "Starmer has been worse in two years than the Tories were in 40," says 89-year-old Frieda. On Burnham, she is more hopeful, however, adding: "He has done good in Manchester. We have to give him a chance, he is giving up a lot though." "He can't be any worse than Starmer," chimes in Dave, "But I have my doubts."
Ken and Michelle McIntosh also have some differing views — this time on the outgoing Prime Minister. Ken says he feels sorry for Starmer and does not think he was doing "too bad of a job," although he accepts there were "too many u-turns." His wife is less forgiving. "I don't feel sorry for him really," says Michelle. "I was excited when he got in, I thought it was going to be a new Labour, but every decision was a bad one. The worst was about Mandelson."
Michelle is another St Helens local who is not happy with Reform winning here. "I couldn't believe they got in here, this is a Labour town. I was shocked. It is divisive what they are doing here." She thinks Burnham is the answer in terms of fighting back. "I think he has got the personality to stop Reform." Ken strikes a more cautionary tone. "He's going to have to do some things very quickly, because things turn very quickly against people these days."
A Glowing Endorsement from an 83-Year-Old
On a nearby bench sits Sydney Southward. He tells us he is 83, proudly pulling out his bus pass to prove it. In between catching some rays, he offers a brief but glowing Burnham opinion. "I like him a lot. He's done a good job in Manchester and if he gets in, it's because he deserves it. The last one didn't do anything for the people."
