Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has hailed the start of a new era as his close friend and political ally Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister. Rotheram, a long-time supporter of the incoming PM, said he expects a "sympathetic ear" in Downing Street from the Aintree-born Labour leader, who succeeds Sir Keir Starmer today.
Rotheram's Hopes for the Region
Speaking to the ECHO ahead of the historic moment, Mayor Rotheram acknowledged that the city region would not "get everything we want," but emphasised there would be a better chance of Liverpool and the region's plans being heard at the highest level of government. He also issued a warning to Burnham's rivals, drawing on his unique position in the new premier's inner circle.
Burnham will visit the King today and officially become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, watched by his best friend and closest ally. Rotheram and his family will be in Downing Street for the occasion.
A Long-Standing Alliance
Rotheram has been a crucial part of Burnham's journey towards his ultimate goal for many years. The two men met in a pub in London in 2016 when both were Members of Parliament. They agreed to leave the House of Commons and run to become elected mayors of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region. It was Burnham's successful near-decade in Manchester that propelled him to the Prime Minister's office.
Ahead of travelling to London, Rotheram described the moment as "very surreal" despite Burnham having contested the Labour leadership twice before. "It is surreal. But now it is all about what he's going to do and that's the exciting bit. Of course I am anxious but it is exciting," he said.
Family Presence at Downing Street
Rotheram, his wife, and children will be part of a group of family and very close friends waiting outside Downing Street as Burnham returns from his appointment with the King and delivers his first speech as Prime Minister. Also present will be Rotheram's new 10-week-old grandson, Harley. "Harley will be 10 weeks old at 10 past six on Monday and will be there outside Number 10, so there is something very nice about that," Rotheram added.
Reflecting on Burnham's path to power, Rotheram noted that it nearly didn't happen. After Burnham was blocked from standing for a return to Parliament earlier this year in Gorton and Denton, Rotheram thought it was over. "But Makerfield was right for him. He wanted to connect with people and say, look there is a different way of doing things. Andy knew he wanted to use that opportunity to show he could change Labour and change politics," he said.
Ongoing Friendship and Security Concerns
Despite Burnham's rise to Labour leader and now Prime Minister, Rotheram said they still speak most days. "Even though he has more security now, we have been able to meet up a few times for a drink or to watch the footy. It's a bit of normality for him. But he probably won't be able to do that much more from today, because the security implications are huge now, particularly with the way politics is at the moment. It can be very toxic," he explained.
Rotheram expressed confidence that Burnham has developed a thick enough skin to deal with criticism, including accusations of changing his mind too often. "He's developed a rhino hide now, he has to have that. He's very clear and knows what he wants to do. This nonsense about him being uncertain about things is wrong. Yes he will take a pluralist approach to pulling together a cabinet - but he is clear about his vision," Rotheram said.
Burnham's 'Ordinariness' an Asset
Rotheram also defended Burnham's perceived ordinariness, which some in the media have criticised. "People get snooty down there and certainly in the media, about him being ordinary. But I think his ordinariness is an asset. It's a good thing. They might sneer in certain broadsheets but it is the thing that connects him to the people he wants to serve," he said. He warned that anyone underestimating Burnham would be in for a shock: "Anybody who underestimates Andy Burnham and thinks he is just going to do what has been done previously but with better communication skills, they are going to be in for a shock."
Devolution and Regional Impact
Discussing what a Merseyside-born Prime Minister and passionate advocate of regional devolution means for the region, Rotheram said: "It's a brilliant thing for our region. We will still be submitting the same sort of cases to different departments to get their support for things - and we are past masters at that now. But it means that if there are issues, well we have a sympathetic voice. I'm not saying we will get everything we want, but I think we will have a better chance now."
Rotheram credited Burnham as the architect of devolution: "Without him devolution wouldn't be in the shape it is now in this country."
