Andy Burnham has been elected as the leader of the Labour Party and will become Prime Minister tomorrow, a move that has delighted many, including showbiz editor Daniel Bird. Bird, who interviewed Burnham earlier this year, describes him as approachable and passionate about the North.
Interview at the BRIT Awards Launch
Bird met Burnham at the official launch for the BRIT Awards nominees at the Co-op Live in Manchester, weeks before the ceremony. Both were mingling; Bird was looking for friends, while Burnham spoke with attendees. Bird, a northern native, felt a sense of pride in the development of cities like Manchester and Liverpool, and shares Burnham's love for the northern music scene, citing Oasis, The Stone Roses, and Girls Aloud.
Burnham's passion was infectious, according to Bird, who noted whispers that Burnham hoped to become an MP again. Bird was thrilled, believing the North had been overlooked for years. As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham emphasized the importance of events like the BRIT Awards and MOBOs coming to the North, stating he had waited "all his life" to see this happen.
Burnham's Vision for Music and the North
Burnham told Bird: "In my time, growing up, it was the complete opposite. We've come through all these decades, and now look at us. It's an emotional moment, Manchester has been on a long road back, and I believe music started that change journey – here we are, it's a great thing to see."
Bird believes Burnham in power will give the North a voice. He recalled traveling to London for events, with many artists seeing the UK as London or the South. Since his teens, Bird had traveled to Manchester for days out, exploring the Northern Quarter and attending gigs at venues like The Deaf Institute.
Support for Grassroots Venues
Bird noted Burnham's passion for accessible live music. In a world of rising ticket prices, Burnham was keen to support grassroots venues. Burnham said: "If you look at what goes on here [Manchester], every night of the week, there's stuff happening on the music scene, seven days a week, we have the infrastructure that goes from the smallest venues to the best in the country, like this [Co-op Live], there's no in between."
Burnham added: "It's no exaggeration to say that Bev [Craig] and I consider this critical infrastructure in the city. This is a music city to its fingertips. People here are knowledgeable about music, they love music, and in many ways, it creates the heartbeat of the whole place."
A Northern Prime Minister
Bird believes Burnham has transformed Manchester as Mayor and will bring brighter days as PM. He is the second politician Bird has interviewed, and he came away feeling optimistic. Burnham has spoken about a "Number 10 North," which Bird says is what the North has been crying out for.
Liverpudlian singer Jamie Webster echoed this, saying Burnham will "give the north a voice." Webster, who has met Burnham several times, described him as polite and friendly, adding: "I think it'll help the North a lot better. If anything, what Andy Burnham does is he makes politics a bit more approachable."
