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Andy Burnham

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Greater Manchester Hop 4
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Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham
source
NameAndy Burnham
CaptionBurnham in 2021
OfficeMayor of Greater Manchester
Term start8 May 2017
PredecessorOffice established
Office1Shadow Home Secretary
Term start113 September 2015
Term end16 October 2016
Leader1Jeremy Corbyn
Predecessor1Yvette Cooper
Successor1Diane Abbott
Office2Shadow Secretary of State for Health
Term start27 October 2011
Term end213 September 2015
Leader2Ed Miliband
Predecessor2John Healey
Successor2Heidi Alexander
Office3Secretary of State for Health
Term start35 June 2009
Term end311 May 2010
Primeminister3Gordon Brown
Predecessor3Alan Johnson
Successor3Andrew Lansley
Office4Member of Parliament, for Leigh
Term start47 June 2001
Term end43 May 2017
Predecessor4Lawrence Cunliffe
Successor4Jo Platt
PartyLabour
Alma materFitzwilliam College, Cambridge
SpouseMarie-France van Heel

Andy Burnham is a British politician who has served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. A prominent figure in the Labour Party, he previously held several senior positions in government and opposition, including Secretary of State for Health and Shadow Home Secretary. First elected as the Member of Parliament for Leigh in 2001, he has become a significant voice for devolution and regional governance in England.

Early life and education

Born on 7 January 1970 in Aintree, he grew up in Culcheth, Cheshire. He attended St Aelred's Catholic High School in Newton-le-Willows before studying English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. During his time at the University of Cambridge, he was involved in student politics and served as the editor of the student newspaper. After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary researcher for Tessa Jowell before taking a role at the NHS Confederation.

Political career

Elected to the House of Commons in the 2001 general election, he quickly rose through the ranks. He served as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department of Health before being appointed as a Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2006. Under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, he was promoted to Secretary of State for Health in 2009. Following the 2010 election, he held several shadow cabinet posts, including Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Shadow Secretary of State for Health. He stood unsuccessfully for the Labour leadership in both 2010 and 2015, losing to Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn respectively. He served as Shadow Home Secretary from 2015 until his election as mayor.

Mayor of Greater Manchester

Elected as the inaugural Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, he was re-elected with an increased majority in 2021. His tenure has focused on significant policy areas including transport, housing, and policing. He oversaw the introduction of the Bee Network, a plan for an integrated public transport system, and took control of Greater Manchester Police's fire service, creating Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. He played a prominent role during the COVID-19 pandemic, often advocating for stricter measures and greater financial support from Westminster. His administration has also pursued major housing initiatives and declared a climate change emergency for the city-region.

Political positions and views

He is associated with the soft left of the Labour Party and is a strong advocate for English devolution. He has championed the policy of integrating health and social care under a single budget, often described as a "whole person care" approach. On constitutional matters, he supports the abolition of the House of Lords and its replacement with an elected senate of the nations and regions. He has been critical of the BBC's licence fee model and has called for its reform. His stance on Brexit evolved from supporting a second referendum to accepting the result and focusing on regional economic deals.

Personal life

He is married to Marie-France van Heel, a former lobbyist, and they have three children. The family lives in Atherton. He is a lifelong supporter of Everton F.C. and has served as a patron for several charities, including those focused on Hillsborough justice and homelessness. He has written about his support for Liverpool F.C. in his youth and is a known enthusiast for the music of The Smiths.

Category:1970 births Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies Category:Mayors of Greater Manchester Category:Alumni of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge Category:Living people