Andy Burnham: are you having a laugh?

Shadow health secretary acts like a bloke just passing by in the Labour leadership contest.

By James Macintyre Published 28 August 2010 15:55

For some time, I've had the impression that Andy Burnham, admirable politician though I am sure he is in many ways, is not running for the Labour leadership seriously to win, but merely to raise his profile and consolidate his position as a senior player in the shadow cabinet.

Certainly during the New Statesman hustings in June, he acted a little like he had been grabed off the street and thrown on to the stage. "Yeah I'll have a crack at it," you could almost imagine him saying. Undecided on electoral reform, determined to press his northerner credentials, he appeared to offer little substance.

That is probably unfair, and he has come up with some impressive ideas in the campaign, especially regarding the National Health Service. But reading this Q&A with all the candidates in the Independent made me again think that Burnham's candidacy is something of a joke. Indeed, when I first saw it, I literally thought it might be a spoof.

Asked which individual had the greatest influence on their career, the Milibands said their parents, Ed Balls said Margaret Thatcher (in a negative way) and Diane Abbott said Nelson Mandela. Burnham's answer? Chris Smith. Now, don't get me wrong: I have great respect for Chris Smith. But when you can name anyone in the whole world as an influence, his isn't necessarily the first name to come to mind.

It gets better. The candidates are asked which person -- that's "which person", so anyone on earth -- they most admire. The Milibands say their partners. Only slightly oddly, Balls names a diary secretary of 12 years. Abbott says Michelle Obama. Deeply parochial Andy Burnham says Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, the outgoing chief medical inspector.

And finally, the pièce de résistance. After various other questions -- including favourite book (Burnham: The Damned United) -- the question is posed: "What was the best moment of your life?"

All of the candidates mention their children. All except, um, Burnham. He has three kids, but chooses to ignore that. Instead, the best moment of his life, he says, was: "Singing 'Dirty Old Town' in front of family and friends from every era of my life at my 40th birthday do earlier this year."

Sorry, but I rest my case.

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Tags: Andy Burnham Labour leadership

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22 comments

Sun, 2010-08-29 11:41 — Rachel C (not verified)

Wow, Andy must be doing well for the Ed Miliband team to attempt another hatchet job. If Ed Miliband cant control his own campaign - with its out of control spin doctoring and back biting - what chance would he have of controlling the party? He would be a weak man for a weak party - but on the plus side James Macintyre is clearly making his play to be Director of Communications, so he'll be OK. So much for the quality journalism that used to be expected of the New Statesman. Its approach to this leadership contest has been a historic low in the history of the publication. Shame on you, New Statesman. Shame on you.

Tue, 2010-08-31 10:52 — Elizabeth (not verified)

So the Millibands' replies are safe predictable, fairly dull and pedestrian; so are Balls' and Mr MacIntyre criticises Andy Burnham's - which are not and which actually smack of honesty.

At least he thinks for himself. He may even be his own person. That, of course would never do. No ludicrous stereotypes for journalists to scribble about there then or to use to measure everyone else against - in their simple world of chattering transparency!

Sun, 2010-08-29 12:28 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Bloody marvellous article! Andy may have a following up north ('Commoners') but the south is still in love with the Tories!

Sun, 2010-08-29 21:27 — stuart (not verified)

class snobbery again.just because andy is from working class stock and is not eton educated and born with a silver spoon in his mouth ponce you all gang up on this great man with the venom of a dead rattlesnake,shame on you all i say hear hear.

Sat, 2010-08-28 16:06 — Jim Costello (not verified)

Good on him for injecting a little light relief. Makes a change from the Brothers Grim.

I thought the biggest joke answer was Michelle Obama! For being married to the President?! How identity politics can you get?!

Sat, 2010-08-28 16:15 — Wiccad

It was the greatest influence on their political career, not their whole life, so Andy's answer makes more sense that a trite one. and pointing out you're not Londoncentric doesn't equate with not being serious either What he said was The Damned United was one he'd enjoyed recently, not that it was his favourite ever. And again, to me, saying 'Michelle Obama' is trite - how well does Dianne Abbott know Michelle Obama or Mandela? At least Aandy Burnham knows Liam Donaldson so he knows what's to admire.

Sat, 2010-08-28 16:17 — swatantra nandanwar

Stock off the shelf answers from the rest, but Burnhams answers reflect his progress through the political ranks. Chris Smith first decent Culture Secretary any Govt has ever had, Donaldson his respect for during Burnhams spell at Health, and singing karioke is not as easy as its made out to be, especially in front of the family.
The next person that says 'inspired by Mandela, Thatcher or Nick Clegg', I think I'll just scream, or better still take a rest on the couch.
Burnhams replies were immediate relevant and to the point, and not syrupy. He took it for granted that parents children family always come first. Thats why he hesitated before throwing his hat in the ring at the NS Hustings. But he got more committed since then.

Sat, 2010-08-28 16:37 — shufflebox (not verified)

I think these replies are far less laughable than all the other candidates'. Typical Westminster Village journalism.

Sat, 2010-08-28 17:04 — Pawel (not verified)

Agree with some of the above comments - Abbott's Michelle Obama answer is the biggest joke (not that she isn't worthy of admiration) but come on, has she even met her properly? In her whole life she hasn't come across anyone more worthy of admiration?

Sat, 2010-08-28 17:31 — C-Man (not verified)

No James, Wrong.

Diane Abbott is the cabaret candidate so far, a fact which makes those of us on the left of the Party want to tear our hair out. Is this really the best we can do?

In fact Andy Burnham is quite genuine. He's on the Right of the party, but may be capable of appealing to some of those who are not. For example:

'Over time, we became dangerously disconnected from ordinary people and those who had voted for us in 1997. It looked too often as though we had stopped listening – on housing, jobs and immigration. At its worst, New Labour looked hollow – dazzled by power, money and glamour. Many people had lost sight of who we were and what we stood for.'

He has his limitations, but he might in some ways represent a minor improvement and a less bad option in a very lightweight contest.

For those on the Left looking to Ed Miliband, check this out:

'We shed the idealism that secured our first victory on the back of radical policies like a minimum wage, the windfall tax on utilities and the rebirth of public services.'

He thinks the minimum wage and windfall tax were RADICAL?! Almost as though the Labour policy, approved by Conference, to renationalise the railways DIDN'T EVEN EXIST. In fact the contest is slowly revealing that David Miliband would be no worse than Ed.

Sat, 2010-08-28 17:51 — David Williams (not verified)

I recently saw Andy at a Labour meeting in Corby. I found him to be an open and genuine person. He was natural when speaking with people and unlike the others doesn't appear scared to show who he really is. His record in government, in particular developing the nhs constitution proves he is a good politician and a geniuine contender for leader.

Sat, 2010-08-28 19:22 — Freeman2

So Burnham worries you a bit, James? That's the only explanation for this juvenile little piece.

Sat, 2010-08-28 19:46 — Victoria (not verified)

It could be he was injecting a little humour to questions that seem more indicative of answers you expect from miss universe contenders or speeches made by bafta awards winners. Can't fault a man for being honest...perhaps his down to earth persona is how he expects to capture peoples votes

Sat, 2010-08-28 20:20 — alan (not verified)

I likeing Andy B more and more he seems genuine far more so than i have to say the Milibands at this present time.

As for Ed seriously if he's the great white hope of the left then its true the left will never rule again he's hardly Tony Benn is he? sorry to say but the Staggers have called this utterly wrong in this lightweight contest even i was set for David M all the way through but the more i listen to Burnham the more i could see him as a leader but i suppose the bigger question is could we see Burnham as a prime minister?

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Mon, 2010-08-30 17:36 — krazykol87

It's fairly obvious from James Macintyre's other pieces that he is fawning for a David Miliband leadership as opposed to his brother so less of the Ed Miliband bad press. Secondly Michelle Obama has/had a life before Barack and his presidency - from her difficult upbringing to going to a top uni etc - she is a very strong woman and plenty to admire about so less of the WAG tag too. And what's wrong with Nelson Mandela, it was an honest answer and doesn't she have a picture of him in her office too. Poor article though!

Sat, 2010-08-28 21:53 — Tom O'Gara (not verified)

That newly administered Ed Miliband suppositories have to descend to this sort of sloppy, pernicious tattle to give their host a boost says a great deal.

A little more respect for your readership next time please James.

Sun, 2010-08-29 01:02 — jeremiah

Burnham's entire pitch is "i'm from op north". Not enough to be leader in my opinion.

Sun, 2010-08-29 01:12 — joncape (not verified)

Is it bollox jeremiah,suggest you try actually reading Burnham's manifesto and you will find far more depth than in any of the other campaigns. You can hardly blame Burnham if he wants to point out that he isn't just another London-oriented blandista but there is certainly far more to him than that.

Sun, 2010-08-29 01:59 — John Graham (not verified)

I'm sorry, but the article is utter tosh. You criticise Mr Burnham for stating that the outgoing chief medical officer is his most admired person, yet seem perfectly satisfied with Ed Balls' (his diary secretary) and Diane Abbot's (Michelle Obama) answers.

You seem to be attacking Mr Burnham because he's not a cleanly cut southerner like the Milibands.