How Andy Burnham, ‘King of the North’, conquered British politics
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Andy Burnham, newly elected leader of Britain’s Labour Party, meeting members of the public at Gravesend Town Pier in Kent, Britain, on July 17.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Andy Burnham gained fame as the ‘King of the North’ by opposing government Covid-19 lockdown policies and advocating for working-class people.
- He rose from a modest background to become Labour Party leader and Greater Manchester mayor, known for his plainspoken style and focus on local issues.
- Burnham faces major challenges as prime minister, including economic struggles and political divisions, with uncertain plans to address them effectively.
AI generated
LONDON – Andy Burnham, the man about to become Britain’s next prime minister, looked exhausted and on the edge of fury.
It was October 2020, the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic. As mayor of Greater Manchester, he had just learnt from an aide that the Conservative government in London, some 320km south, had imposed fresh lockdown restrictions on his area, while refusing his demand for US$87 million (S$112.4 million) to protect low-income workers and struggling businesses.
