The unorthodox path of Andy Burnham, from a disillusioned Member of Parliament to becoming one of the most influential leaders in British politics, began with a moment of profound introspection. In March 2016, just months after his second failed bid for the Labour leadership, Mr Burnham found himself at a crossroads in a Westminster pub, grappling with frustration over what he perceived as the 'aloof' Remain campaign and internal strife within Labour under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. Sources close to him described a mood of exasperation that ultimately led him to reconsider his career trajectory.
It was during this period of self-doubt that Mr Burnham made the pivotal decision to leave national politics, opting instead to contest the newly established position of Greater Manchester Mayor. His friend and fellow MP Steve Rotheram reportedly followed suit, running for the mayoral role in Liverpool – a move that would redefine their careers. Unbeknownst to them at the time, this departure from Westminster marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Amidst the chaos of mass resignations from Labour's shadow cabinet in 2016, Mr Burnham adopted an unusual stance. While many colleagues departed, he remained, positioning himself as a mediator between Labour's warring factions. Colleagues recall him urging unity at a highly contentious meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee – a move that showcased his political astuteness. Despite not aligning with Mr Corbyn's ideology, sources indicate he publicly refrained from joining the rebellion against the leader.
This refusal to resign, which left him in an unusual position within the shadow cabinet, was seen by some as a calculated move to secure the support of thousands of new Labour members who had joined under Mr Corbyn's leadership. One close ally noted that it was clear why Mr Burnham would not want to alienate these potential supporters or be seen to oppose the leader.
Further insights into this period, revealed through newly uncovered documents, suggest Mr Burnham was involved in drafting a 'Corbyn declaration' just days after publicly stating he would not participate in a 'coup' against any Labour leader. This declaration aimed to commit to the continuation of Mr Corbyn's policies if he were to step aside. While the plan did not materialise, those around Mr Corbyn reportedly viewed Mr Burnham with caution, recalling his insistence on bringing Michael Dugher MP into the shadow cabinet after losing the leadership contest – despite Dugher's known opposition to the Labour leader.