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Health Secretary Burnham ready to join race for Labour leadership
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor1 Dec 2009
Health Secretary Andy Burnham is preparing to throw his hat into the ring for the Labour leadership after the general election, the Evening Standard has learned.
In a move that will trigger fresh speculation about the race to succeed Gordon Brown, allies of Mr Burnham have begun work on plans for a bid for the top job.
In recent weeks fellow Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell has been lined up as Mr Burnham's campaign manager if, as expected, Labour lose the election.
Senior party sources said Mr Burnham was seen by colleagues as a fresh choice compared to the current front-runners for the Labour leadership, Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Schools Secretary Ed Balls.
At only 39, Mr Burnham would be easily the youngest of the leadership contenders.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who remains the top choice of many MPs to succeed Mr Brown, has not ruled out running but has been very cool on the idea. Deputy party leader Harriet Harman has told colleagues publicly and privately that she has no intention of contesting the leadership, despite speculation that she would be a strong candidate among the rank and file.
Although few Labour backbenchers now believe that Mr Brown can be toppled before the election, some still cling to the hope that he may step aside in time for polling day in May.
Some Labour MPs believe that Mr Burnham has the perfect Labour “back story”, as a working-class, state-school educated Northerner who went to Cambridge before working for Ms Jowell in opposition. He was special adviser to Culture Secretary Chris Smith before clinching a safe Labour seat and swiftly climbing the ministerial ladder.
A Blairite to his fingertips, he has in recent months claimed that the party can only survive if it offers radical reform of public services and gives the public choice.
Even if he failed to win the leadership, the very fact of a strong candidacy would ensure he won a major post after the election, MPs say. More importantly, he would put down a marker for a future leadership bid.
A source close to Mr Burnham said that he and Ms Jowell were “very good friends” but played down any formal role in a leadership bid. A spokeswoman for the minister today said that there were no plans for a leadership bid because the Prime Minister had his full support. “Andy's getting on with the job of Health Secretary,” she said.
Reader views (17)
What changes are Mr Burnham going to make to empower patients of the NHS. At present I am suicidal. The hospital "crisis" team, that I saw after my last suicide attempt, have NOT referred me to a supportive body after the six weeks they were involved with me. I have tried going to my GP about support, but after six months I am still waiting. I have also tried going through the individual complaints procedure, up to and including the health service ombudsman, and I found it inadequate. The whole of my complaint was met with lies from the crisis team and an ombudsman who treats them favourably. There is no equality in this process. I am now left, after the "help" from the NHS proffessionals, contmplating suicide every moment of the day - and the mental anguish is NOW getting too much. What exactly do you suggest Mr Burnham, for a NHS mental health patient who HAS already jumped through ALL your hoops and is STILL being left to die. I KEEP asking for help, but I get NONE! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN REFELECTION OF THE FACT THAT I HAVE ALREADY USED THE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE? And please make a note. That even when a complaint is found IN FAVOUR of the complainant, the Trust (Trust? that's a joke) in question does NOT have to put things right. THAT is just taking all power off the patient and giving all power to poor health practices.
- Clifton Russell, Manchester, England., 10/02/2010 17:34
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It is absolute nonsense to say that Burnham is 'working class' and went to a comprehensive. Neither statement is true: his father was an engineer, and Andy attended a Catholic primary school and then a Catholic High School. Very different to a comprehensive!
- Liz, London, UK, 04/01/2010 14:13
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Piffle!
Tory Lead Down, Labour Leadership Piffle Up!
- Quietzapple, United Kingdom, 02/12/2009 03:42
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Burham is such a lightweight, his candidateship is laughable. Not that Labour has credible potential 'leaders'!
- Fausties, Reading, 02/12/2009 00:23
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Ha ha ha ha ha. Why anyone would want to lead a political party that is certainly heading for another well deserved 18 years in the wilderness is beyond the understanding of any sane person.
Oh and Melvyn Windebag, if you want to talk about the denying of referendums on Europe, a referendum on Lisbon was a Labour manifesto pledge at the last general election and one that, as usual, Labour have completely broken with their usual utter contempt for the electorate and for truth.
Never in the modern era have we had a worse, more mendacious and self serving bunch of incompetent nonentities running, or rather failing to run, our country.
- Matt, London, UK, 01/12/2009 23:25
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Oh Dear Gordon must feel very unwanted.
- David Smith, london, 01/12/2009 15:19
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Andy Burnham, Ed Balls, David Milliband, Harriet Harman, it is only when you read the list of potential leaders that you realise what a squalid, bankrupt little party Labour has become, and, why!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London, 01/12/2009 15:14
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If you want do lead a dead and buried political party mate its up to you. You will be an very old man before Labour gets back in power, if ever.
- Roger, Devon, 01/12/2009 15:09
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Andy who?
- John B, Biggleswade, 01/12/2009 14:59
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"Labour leadership" an oxymoron if ever there was one.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 01/12/2009 14:55
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So he has never had a real job then. Sounds ideal for Labour.
- Emma, London, UK, 01/12/2009 14:50
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Playing musical chairs on the Titanic. Why does he not concentrate on sorting out our Hospitals?
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 01/12/2009 14:21
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Its who will suceed David Cameron which is the real question given his failure to make his party look like one fit for government!!
The fact is he will need a major swing just to become the largest party and with his help UKIP is likely to pick up many dis-gruntled tory votes after he denied them a referendum.
As for Andy Burnham well he may take over from Labours next prime minister when Labour has won 6 or 7 elections!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 01/12/2009 14:15
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Well done Andy. Always thought you were a darkhorse in the race. An extra fillip. Someone from the working class with an accent. Good credentials, despite being a professional politician with no real work outside politics. Good luck all the same. He and Ed Milliband wll jump a generation, hopefully leaving a lot of the old baggage behind.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 01/12/2009 14:13
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WHO!!!!!!!!!
- Jonny, London, 01/12/2009 13:48
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Will this be before he starts shaving and wearig long trousers? Still can't do any harm another lack lustre inexperienced bod, can only help Conservatives win the next election
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France., 01/12/2009 13:39
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How entertaining. Rats fighting over who captains the ship to the bottom of the sea.
- Mark, London, 01/12/2009 13:39
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