Ed Miliband was caught “bawling” as Andy Burnham became emotional speaking about his late father at the Labour Party conference. The Foreign Secretary appeared weepy and could be seen wiping his eyes as the Prime Minister seemingly held back the tears.
Clip shared on X
Former GB News presenter and Reform UK councillor Darren Grimes shared a clip appearing to show a moved Mr Miliband on X. The deputy leader for Durham County Council said: “Good Lord. I hadn’t realised Ed Miliband was bawling during Andy Burnham’s speech in which he argued Britain was for ALL (the British?) and removed the pensions triple lock. Really?!”
Replying to Mr Grimes, one user claimed it was “for the camera”. Another said: “I almost felt like crying myself, it’s billions of our taxes these fools are spending.”
However, others pushed back, with several pointing out Mr Miliband’s mother only died in May. One person wrote: “It’s called empathy, Darren.”
PM's tribute to father
The clip posted on X by Mr Grimes came as the Prime Minister shared how his late father, Roy, would have been “so proud” of what he and his brothers did with the opportunities “he didn’t get for himself”. Mr Burnham told the crowd in Liverpool: “If only he had been able to appreciate that moment of the family in Downing Street.
“The son of a man who failed his 11-plus becoming Prime Minister. The fact it could even happen in this country would not have been lost on him.
“He could have gone to university himself, but times were different then so it wasn’t an option. But he voted every time, religiously for the Labour governments which changed education so his sons could do that.”
The camera then cuts to a seemingly emotional Mr Miliband. Other members of the Labour frontbench standing alongside him also appeared moved.
Triple lock scrapped
Mr Burnham’s father, who was in his mid-80s, died earlier this month after suffering from Alzheimer’s. He has previously spoken about his father’s illness, which meant he did not know his son had become Prime Minister. This experience is one of Mr Burnham’s driving factors to reform the social care system.
The PM used the speech to announce controversial plans to scrap the triple lock from 2030 in order to help fund an NHS-style care service in England. He told the conference he would change the system “in memory of my dad and out of respect for everyone who cared for him”.
