The Greater Manchester Mayor's literary influences have long been an open secret, but Andy Burnham's recent tribute to Tony Harrison has shed new light on the profound impact the poet's work has had on his politics. Speaking at a memorial service for the celebrated writer, Burnham revealed how Harrison's epic poem 'V' provided him with a crucial perspective on life and society – one that continues to inform his approach to leadership in the Labour Party.
Burnham's introduction to 'V', which he discovered as a sixth-former, was a defining moment in his intellectual development. The poem, set in a Leeds graveyard and dramatised on Channel 4, tells the story of a confrontation between Harrison and a skinhead. Its themes of class struggle, identity, and social cohesion resonated deeply with the young Burnham, who shared Harrison's working-class background. Notably, it was an epigraph from Arthur Scargill within the poem – "My father still reads the dictionary every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words" – that helped convince his own father of the value of studying English at university.
Burnham's emphasis on his humanities background is a rare breed in contemporary politics, where politicians with English literature degrees are increasingly uncommon. Yet he argues that his knowledge of authors like Chaucer, Shakespeare, Orwell, and Harrison has been instrumental in connecting with constituents and navigating the complexities of governance. This perspective stands in stark contrast to the recent decline in young people studying English, history, or languages at university – a trend that has sparked concerns about course closures and staff reductions across the UK's higher education institutions.
Burnham's appreciation for Harrison's 'V' extends beyond its literary merit to its core message of unity. He highlighted the poem's contemplation of the word "UNITED" graffitied on a headstone, interpreting it as a powerful call to transcend societal divisions – the "class, economic and ethnic differences that split the nation, 'the unending violence of US and THEM'". This interpretation suggests a political approach focused on bridging divides, a theme that could define a potential future leadership bid.
While Burnham's policy agenda will ultimately be judged by its merits, his recent reflections underscore a belief in the enduring power of literature to shape leaders and inform governance. His advocacy for a humanities-informed perspective raises broader questions about the skills and worldviews deemed essential for political leadership in modern Britain – potentially offering an alternative to more conventional academic pathways often associated with Westminster.
Source: Blake Morrison