Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed gratitude for "people's warmth and compassion" following the death of his father, Kenneth Roy Burnham, who was known as Roy. The PM said his family had been helped by kind messages during this "difficult time" and particularly pointed to words from political leaders from other parties.
Father's death and public response
Roy Burnham had Alzheimer's disease and had been living in a care home until his death aged 86. Downing Street announced on Monday that Mr Burnham had cancelled several engagements following the news.
On Wednesday, Mr Burnham posted on X: "We are grateful to everyone who has shared a kind message about my dad, particularly the leaders of the other parties.
"My family and I have been helped through this difficult time by people's warmth and compassion. It means a great deal to us and we wanted to say thank you."
Political tributes
Voices from across the political spectrum offered their condolences on Monday. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "No matter how old you are, or how much you try to prepare, losing your father is a profoundly painful experience. A part of your life is suddenly gone for ever and it can feel as though a part of you won't ever be the same."
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: "My heart goes out to the Prime Minister on the loss of his dad. From our conversations he sounded like a wonderful man. My prayers are with his family as they mourn together."
Mr Burnham's close friend Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: "Heartbroken for Andy and his family at the loss of his dad."
Father's illness and legacy
Mr Burnham has previously spoken about his father's illness, expressing heartbreak earlier this year that it meant his father did not know his son was on the brink of entering Downing Street. He has said it is a driving factor in the Prime Minister's aim to reform the social care system.
In an emotional speech in July, the Prime Minister vowed to overhaul the crisis-hit social care system to help "my dad and the millions like him". He paid tribute to the skill of Roy's carers, saying: "I watch sometimes how people communicate with my dad and they're able to catch a kind of a moment of his old character."
On the eve of entering No10, Mr Burnham said he wished his father knew he was becoming PM, after playing such a significant role in his success. He told The Times: "That's a sadness because he would be [proud]. The way I look at it, it's his achievement as well. A whole family achievement, although he doesn't know it."
Roy Burnham met his wife Eileen, a GP's receptionist, while working in Liverpool. They married and set up home in Aintree, later moving to Culcheth, a village near Warrington. The Burnhams raised their sons Nick, Andy and John with "laughter, love and support", the PM said in his 2024 book Look North. In 2015, Roy and Eileen told the Mirror that their son should be Labour leader.
