Andy Burnham would 'love the job' if he becomes Prime Minister and would bring a 'far more relaxed' style to Number 10, according to Manchester political veteran Sir Richard Leese.
Sir Richard Leese Praises Burnham's Leadership Qualities
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, the former leader of Manchester City Council said the new Makerfield MP has the temperament and experience to handle the pressures of the highest office. 'I think Andy will love the job if he gets it,' Sir Richard said. 'It is something I think he has demonstrated when he was a cabinet minister, when he was mayor of Greater Manchester. He can cope with that level of public profile. He likes to be in places where he is meeting lots of people. He likes ideas. And part of liking ideas is to like having the odd argument about those ideas as well. I think we will see a far more relaxed Prime Minister than we have seen of late.'
Burnham's Path to Number 10
Burnham returned to the Commons on Monday as the MP for Makerfield and could be in Downing Street within weeks if no challenger emerges. His main rival, former health secretary Wes Streeting, has already backed him to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, who stood down as Labour leader on Monday. However, two senior Labour MPs – Darren Jones and former armed forces minister Al Carns – are reportedly considering leadership bids that could complicate Burnham's plans.
The 'Manchester Way' of Governance
Sir Richard, who also served as deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, highlighted Burnham's collaborative approach. 'He has learnt in Greater Manchester to work as part of a consensus, to work long-term. To create partnerships and develop partnerships – a very new way of working. I think he is also very much rooted in the Manchester way of working – if you say you are going to do something, you do it.' He added that Burnham is 'a listening person' who accepts sound arguments and gives credit to others.
Building a Team and Key Priorities
Asked about potential weaknesses, Sir Richard dismissed the idea that Burnham is 'flakey', describing him as a 'people person' who empathises with those in need. He said Burnham's key challenge would be to 'build a team around him' that complements his strengths and challenges him when necessary. On policy, Sir Richard identified growth and devolution as priorities, including skills, apprenticeship and job support schemes.
'Obviously for Andy he will want to build a team that complements his strengths and occasionally, as he did with me, people who might challenge his emphatic ways as well,' Sir Richard said. 'He's done that before. That's the way he's worked in Greater Manchester. He's worked as part of a team, he's built consensus. I think that would be really positive if Westminster could move to that Greater Manchester way of working.'
