Andy Burnham, the incoming UK prime minister, who takes over tomorrow, Monday, is not my son.
But he was a former pupil of mine back when I was a young teacher.
I started teaching Andy Spanish in 1980 when he was 11. He was a pupil at St Aelred's Catholic High School in Newton-le-Willows (Merseyside). I taught him all the way through to A-level where he gained a grade A before going off to Cambridge to read English.
Andy Burnham as a student [© The Guardian]
Andy was a good student, very bright and single-minded. He was also a very good footballer. When he became an MP after a period as a parliamentary adviser, it was clear that he was ambitious.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a cabinet minister in the Blair/Brown governments. And he kept on playing football where he was a leading player in the House of Commons team.
He tried twice previously to become Labour leader, failing on both times. Then he left parliament to become Mayor of Greater Manchester, a post to which he was elected three times. And he kept on running to keep fit.
[© Agenda Publica]
Following a series of crises for incumbent prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Andy resigned as Manchester mayor and found a parliamentary seat to contest, Makerfield, next door to the area where he lives and was formerly the MP.
Elected with a strong majority, Andy declared his wish to become the next leader of the Labour party and therefore prime minister.
[© Bloomberg]
So, it's been third time lucky. This time he has stepped into the role unopposed, which has upset many people, including fellow Labour MPs.
I say, give the boy a chance!
© Paul Whitelock MMXXVI
Pictures:
Agenda Publica, Bloomberg, The Guardian
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Agenda Publica, Andy Burnham, Bloomberg, Makerfield, Newton-le-Willows, Paul Whitelock, St Aelred's Catholic High School, Spanish A-level, The Guardian