Jun 3, 2026 · 38 min · 12 segments
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has staked his political future on winning the Makerfield by-election - and, potentially, a tilt at becoming Prime Minister. But who is Burnham, and how did he…
Frank McKennaHost
Chris MaguireHost
As a couple of Manchester-based politicos, I think we can provide a unique insight into Andy Burnham as the Mayor of Manchester.
Well, yeah, he's a big blue and, and genuinely so, and, uh, I've often bumped into Andy at Goodison Park, actually, and had a good chat to him.
I think the first thing that strikes you about Andy Burnham is he's a people's person.
He likes engaging with, uh, not just the punters, the voters, but people generally, and he likes having conversations about things way beyond politics.
In fact, he probably prefers to have a conversation about football or music, um, or other sports than he would, uh, about politics.
Um, but that word authentic, which people overuse these days, I think, is the one that you would absolutely associate with, with Andy Burnham.
Um, but again, it's interesting, isn't it? Because since this Makerfield by-election emerged as being so important, and you've identified it rightly, Chris, as probably the most important by-election in our lifetimes in terms of the future of British politics.
I've taken a look back at some of his early interviews, and Jim Hancock, as you know-
... who's a colleague of mine at Downtown, used to be BBC North West political editor, uh, has done likewise, and he wasn't always as comfortable in front of the camera.
So that's something he's learned, something he's developed, because I think he's a fabulous media performer now, both in terms of mainstream media, but also in terms of social media and those alternative platforms.
But ultimately, I think what matters most these days is whether someone can look at that guy who's prime minister or political leader and say, "I could go for a pint with him." And I think people say it about Farage, I think people used to say it about Boris Johnson, and I think people say it about Andy Burnham.
I think I've interviewed Andy Burnham in front of an audience, and he comes alive when he takes questions from the audience-
I think he's more comfortable talking directly to the people than he is to the media.
And like you, I watched over a lot of his early interviews as well, and people think he's always been a great communicator.
As a couple of Manchester-based politicos, I think we can provide a unique insight into Andy Burnham as the Mayor of Manchester.
Well, yeah, he's a big blue and, and genuinely so, and, uh, I've often bumped into Andy at Goodison Park, actually, and had a good chat to him.
I think the first thing that strikes you about Andy Burnham is he's a people's person.
He likes engaging with, uh, not just the punters, the voters, but people generally, and he likes having conversations about things way beyond politics.
In fact, he probably prefers to have a conversation about football or music, um, or other sports than he would, uh, about politics.
Um, but that word authentic, which people overuse these days, I think, is the one that you would absolutely associate with, with Andy Burnham.
Um, but again, it's interesting, isn't it? Because since this Makerfield by-election emerged as being so important, and you've identified it rightly, Chris, as probably the most important by-election in our lifetimes in terms of the future of British politics.
I've taken a look back at some of his early interviews, and Jim Hancock, as you know-
... who's a colleague of mine at Downtown, used to be BBC North West political editor, uh, has done likewise, and he wasn't always as comfortable in front of the camera.
So that's something he's learned, something he's developed, because I think he's a fabulous media performer now, both in terms of mainstream media, but also in terms of social media and those alternative platforms.
But ultimately, I think what matters most these days is whether someone can look at that guy who's prime minister or political leader and say, "I could go for a pint with him." And I think people say it about Farage, I think people used to say it about Boris Johnson, and I think people say it about Andy Burnham.
I think I've interviewed Andy Burnham in front of an audience, and he comes alive when he takes questions from the audience-
I think he's more comfortable talking directly to the people than he is to the media.
And like you, I watched over a lot of his early interviews as well, and people think he's always been a great communicator.
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