Leigh MP Andy Burnham named Labour’s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham has been chosen as the Labour Party candidate for next year’s Greater Manchester mayoral election.

Mr Burnham, who last month revealed his vision for Manchester’s business community, secured 51% of the vote from regional party members.

The area’s police and crime commissioner, interim mayor Tony Lloyd, received 29% of the vote, while Bury South MP Ivan Lewis got 19.8%, the Guardian has reported.

Leigh MP Mr Burnham said: “To be selected as Labour’s candidate for the first elected mayor of Greater Manchester is a great honour and I thank our members for the faith they have shown in me.

“I will repay it by devoting all my energy to uniting the Labour family here, working to win back the voters we have lost and building a policy programme with broad appeal.”

He added: “I will bring forward real answers to our housing crisis and give new hope to our young people.”

Speaking further, the MP called on new Prime Minister Theresa May and her Conservative Government to deliver on the “promises [made] to the North of England”.

He continued: “You promised us a powerhouse and now you must give us the tools and investment to build it.”

At a meeting with Greater Manchester businesses held in July, Mr Burnham said that without a ‘bare minimum’ commitment to creating a high-speed East-West train link, the Government would fail to make the Northern Powerhouse vision a reality.

According to the Mirror, Mr Burnham has previously stated that he would be prepared to leave the House of Commons, where he has served as the MP for Leigh for 15 years, if he wins the mayoral election in May 2017.

Today (August 9), he commented: “I don’t seek two jobs, nor would I ever seek two salaries. I would stand down at the first and earliest opportunity.”

Of the position of Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Burnham said: “It will be my sole focus. That’s a very clear guarantee.”

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