Former Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford has shared a personal story about Andy Burnham, highlighting what he calls a 'rare gift' that sets him apart from outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Speaking on the For Wales, See Wales podcast on the day Starmer announced his resignation, Drakeford expressed his hope that Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, would become the next Labour leader and prime minister.
Drakeford's Personal Encounter with Burnham
Drakeford recalled an encounter with Burnham when the latter was Labour's health minister and Drakeford was Wales's health minister. During a visit to Cardiff, Burnham was taken to the Velindre cancer centre. Instead of a formal tour with executives, Burnham chose to spend half an hour sitting in the waiting room, talking to patients about their experiences. 'He just sat in the waiting room, and people didn't really know who he was... he just spent the half hour talking to people about their experience of the service and where they had travelled from,' Drakeford said. 'I remember thinking at the time he had that really rare gift of people just warming to him straight away.'
Contrast with Keir Starmer's Leadership
Drakeford contrasted this with Starmer, suggesting that 'the human level of politics wasn't something that came instinctively to him.' He acknowledged Starmer's merits but said they 'didn't get a fair hearing during the time he was Prime Minister.' Drakeford added that Burnham's natural ability to connect 'does come instinctively and absolutely naturally to Andy, and I think people will see the difference.'
Potential for Devolved Powers
Drakeford also suggested that Burnham becoming prime minister could lead to more devolved powers for Wales, given Burnham's experience running a devolved administration in Manchester. 'The reason to be optimistic is because uniquely, in terms of senior Labour figures, he has seen both ends of this telescope,' Drakeford said. 'He has been a very senior cabinet minister in Westminster, but he has also seen what it is like to deal with Westminster and I don't think he will forget that.' He added that Burnham understands 'the absolute imperative to redistribute power, wealth, opportunity, decision making out of the southeast corner of his country and to other parts of England, as well as to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.'
Starmer's Resignation
Drakeford described Starmer's resignation as 'a long time coming.' Burnham is widely expected to succeed him, and Drakeford voiced strong support for the Manchester mayor, saying he hopes Burnham will commit to improving things for the people of Wales.
