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Revision as of 17:29, 23 August 2012 by 80.2.37.65 (talk) (Undid revision 507816374 by Future Perfect at Sunrise (talk))(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about the politician. For the Roman Catholic priest, see Andrew Burnham (priest).
| The Right Honourable Andy Burnham MP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Health | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 October 2011 | |
| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | John Healey |
| In office 11 May 2010 – 8 October 2010 | |
| Leader | Harriet Harman Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Andrew Lansley |
| Succeeded by | John Healey |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Education | |
| In office 8 October 2010 – 7 October 2011 | |
| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Ed Balls |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Twigg |
| Secretary of State for Health | |
| In office 5 June 2009 – 11 May 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Alan Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Lansley |
| Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport | |
| In office 24 January 2008 – 5 June 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | James Purnell |
| Succeeded by | Ben Bradshaw |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury | |
| In office 28 June 2007 – 24 January 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Stephen Timms |
| Succeeded by | Yvette Cooper |
| Member of Parliament for Leigh | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 June 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Lawrence Cunliffe |
| Majority | 15,011 (31.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Aintree, Lancashire, England (1970-01-07) 7 January 1970 (age 54) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Marie-France van Heel |
| Alma mater | Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge |
Andrew Murray Burnham (born 7 January 1970) is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Leigh since 2001. He served in the Cabinet under Gordon Brown from 2007 to 2010 as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary. He was a candidate in the 2010 Labour leadership election, coming fourth out of five candidates. Burnham was initially appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education within Ed Miliband's Shadow Cabinet, but was moved back to the Shadow Department for Health in a reshuffle.
Early life
Burnham was born Old Roan, Aintree, Lancashire (now Merseyside), the son of a telephone engineer father and a receptionist mother, and brought up in Culcheth, near Warrington where his family moved to when his father was promoted to a job in Manchester. He was educated at St. Lewis' Primary School and St Aelred's Roman Catholic High School (now St Aelred's Catholic Technology College) in Newton-le-Willows, Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, before moving on to study English at Cambridge University.
Joining the Labour Party
He joined the Labour Party aged 14 in 1984, during the miners' strike, and was a researcher to Tessa Jowell from 1994 until the 1997 election. He joined the Transport and General Workers' Union in 1995. After the 1997 election, he was briefly a Parliamentary Officer for the NHS Confederation from August to December 1997, before taking up the post as an administrator with the Football Task Force for a year.
In 1998, he became a Special Adviser to the then-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Chris Smith, a position he remained in until his election to Parliament in 2001.
Member of Parliament
After the retirement of Lawrence Cunliffe, Burnham applied to be the Parliamentary Candidate for the safe Labour seat of Leigh. Burnham managed to secure selection to contest the safe seat at the next General Election. At the 2001 election, he was elected with a majority of 16,362, and gave his maiden speech on 4 July 2001.
In Government
Following his election to Parliament, he became a member of the Health Select Committee from 2001 until 2003, when he was appointed the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Home Secretary David Blunkett. Following Blunkett's first resignation in 2004, he went on to become the PPS to Education Secretary Ruth Kelly. He was promoted to serve in the Government after the 2005 election as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, with responsibility for implementing the Identity Cards Act 2006.
In the government reshuffle of 5 May 2006, Burnham was promoted from the Home Office to a Minister of State at the Department of Health.
In Cabinet
In Gordon Brown's first Cabinet, announced 28 June 2007, Burnham was appointed as the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, a position he held until 2008.
The Daily Telegraph published an interview with Burnham on 13 October 2007 in which he stated that: "I think it’s better when children are in a home where their parents are married" and "it’s not wrong that the tax system should recognise commitment and marriage", which created some controversy because following through this argument would replicate the current policies of the Conservative Party.
In a re-shuffle in January 2008, he was appointed as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, replacing James Purnell.
In June 2008, he was forced to apologise to the director of pressure group Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, after she threatened to sue him for libel for smearing her reputation.
In late 2008, he announced Government plans to crack down on the Internet, tightening up controls in order to "even up" what he claimed was an imbalance with TV regulations. This was followed by a speech to the UK music industry's lobbying group, UK Music, in which he announced a "a time that calls for partnership between Government and the music business as a whole: one with rewards for both of us; one with rewards for society as a whole. (...) My job – Government’s job – is to preserve the value in the system."
In Opposition
Following the election of Ed Miliband as Leader, Burnham stood and was elected to the Shadow Cabinet. He was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education. In this role, he organised Labour's opposition to raising tuition fees to £9,000. Burnham had previously voted to introduce top up fees in 2004.
After a year, Burnham was moved back to Shadow Health Secretary in a reshuffle.
Expenses claims
The Daily Telegraph's revelation of expenses claims by Members of Parliament showed that Burnham requested the Commons Fees Office for the £16,644 cost of renovations and work on a London flat he was buying. The claims, which included a new kitchen were at first rejected. Burnham had written three notes asking for the money to be paid, including one at Christmas 2005 complaining "Otherwise I might be in line for divorce!" Ultimately the Fees Office accepted the claim and reimbursed Burnham. The Fees Office refused to pay a June 2006 claim for mortgage interest which covered both the Lambeth flat and Burnham's constituency home, and also a mortgage claim which included capital repayment. The rules allowed reimbursement of mortgage interest only and on one home at a time. Burnham also attempted to claim £19.99 for a bathrobe from IKEA, which was rejected by officials; Burnham said it was a "genuine oversight".
Political commentary
250,000 women, some of them cancer patients, were sent a leaflet featuring a message from a breast cancer survivor who praised Labour's health policy. The cards asked: "Are the Tories a change you can afford?". Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats called this tasteless, and the Tories claimed that they were actually calling for more funding for the NHS. Andy Burnham, the health secretary, said: "It is categorically incorrect to imply that we targeted cancer sufferers, and we regret if any offence or anxiety was given to people who have suffered cancer. But we make no apology for highlighting the difference between Labour and the Conservatives on cancer care."
2010 Labour Party leadership election
Following the resignation of Gordon Brown as Leader of the Labour Party after the 2010 general election, Andy Burnham declared his intention to stand in the subsequent Labour leadership contest. He launched his leadership campaign in his Leigh constituency on 26 May. Burnham led on his philosophy of "aspirational socialism", aligning himself with Intern Aware's campaign to end unpaid internships. He also made key policy commitments to the creation of a National Care Service and also called for inheritance tax to be replaced with a land value tax instead. The leadership contest was eventually won by Ed Miliband. Burnham finished fourth.
Until after the Shadow Cabinet election, Burnham continued in his role as Shadow Health Secretary, and at the end of September 2010 he openly criticised new Prime Minister David Cameron for the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition Government's public spending cuts and health reforms to the NHS.
In the new Shadow Cabinet under Ed Miliband, Burnham was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Election Co-ordinator for the Labour Party.
Miliband then appointed him back to his old position as Shadow Secretary of Health. As the Shadow Secretary for Health, Burnham pledged that if the Labour Party won the 2015 General Election they would abolish the Coalition Government's flagship reforms to the National Health Service.
Personal life
Burnham is married to Marie-France van Heel, whom he wed in 2000 after 11 years together. The couple had been dating since university. Van Heel was formerly head of marketing at MTV, BSkyB and Littlewoods Gaming and until recently the Planning Director at Creative Communication Agency WRG in Manchester. She is now a director at MvH Marketing Ltd. The couple have a son and two daughters. Burnham is a Roman Catholic.
Burnham was the Honorary Chairman of Leigh Rugby League Club for a short period of time. Burnham was also a talented junior cricketer (playing for Lancashire CCC Juniors) and keen footballer, and competed at both sports for his college. He has played for Labour's "Demon Eyes" football team and is a lifelong fan of Premier League football club Everton.
References
- "Andy's biography from his Andy4Leader web-site".
- New Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport BACTA, 28 January 2008
- Woodward, Will (26 January 2008). "New culture secretary keeps an open mind on licence fee". The Guardian. London: Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "House of Commons Hansard; vol 371, part 14, col 333". Hansard. Parliament of the United Kingdom. 4 July 2001. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
- ^ Sylvester, Rachel (15 October 2007). "Marriage is important, children do notice". Telegraph.co.uk. London: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Sometimes a problem really is an opportunity. . . for others Times Online, 25 January 2008
- Percival, Jenny (23 June 2008). "Chakrabarti-Davis row: Liberty head accepts letter of apology from Burnham". guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian News & Media. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
- Government to tighten up web controls The Guardian, 26 September 2008
- The medium and the message BBC News, 1 October 2008
- Andy Burnham hints at tighter control of online contentThe Guardian, 11 June 2008
- Andy Burnham and Charlie McCreevy speak at UK Music's first creators' conference
- http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/andy_burnham/leigh
- Robert Winnett (8 May 2009). "Andy Burnham's battle over claim". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
- Hastings, Chris; Chittenden, Maurice; Mann, Nyta (11 April 2010). "Labour attacked over mailshot to cancer patients". The Times. London.
- Andy Burnham and Diane Abbott join Labour leadership race, London: Daily Telegraph, 19 May 2010, archived from the original on 28 May 2010, retrieved 29 May 2010
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Burnham seeks to stand out from leadership crowd BBC News, 26 May 2010
- http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hhLN8mNSIAPrSVS5yoQmm4WEn7gg?docId=N0233101342458214415A
- Oliver, Jonathan (22 December 2007). "While Blair converts to Catholicism, only 8 Ministers say they believe in God". Mail Online. London: Daily Mail and General Trust. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Mp, Labour (22 October 2002). "Andy Burnham". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
- Brown, Colin (20 June 2008). "Andy Burnham: The Mr Nice Guy who talked his way into a nasty situation". The Independent. London: Independent News & Media. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
External links
- Andy Burnham MP Official constituency website
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard 1803–2005
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
- Audio clips
- Interview with GMR after 2005 election BBC Manchester
- Video clips
- Delivering 18 week NHS target YouTube
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byLawrence Cunliffe | Member of Parliament for Leigh 2001 – present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded byStephen Timms | Chief Secretary to the Treasury 2007–2008 |
Succeeded byYvette Cooper |
| Preceded byJames Purnell | Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 2008–2009 |
Succeeded byBen Bradshaw |
| Preceded byAlan Johnson | Secretary of State for Health 2009–2010 |
Succeeded byAndrew Lansley |
| Preceded byAndrew Lansley | Shadow Secretary of State for Health 2010 |
Succeeded byJohn Healey |
| Preceded byEd Balls | Shadow Secretary of State for Education 2010–2011 |
Succeeded byStephen Twigg |
| Preceded byJohn Healey | Shadow Secretary of State for Health 2011 – present |
Incumbent |
| 2010 Labour Party leadership election | |
|---|---|
| Outgoing Leader: Gordon Brown | |
| Winner | |
| Other nominees | |
| Not nominated | |
_(St_Edwards_Crown).svg)
| Secretaries of state for culture, media and sport of the United Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| National Heritage (1992–1997) | |
| Culture, Media and Sport (1997–2010) | |
| Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (2010–2012) | |
| Culture, Media and Sport (2012–2017) | |
| Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (2017–2023) | |
| Culture, Media and Sport (2023–present) | |
 Chief secretaries to the treasury | ||
|---|---|---|
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- Use dmy dates from May 2012
- 1970 births
- People from Warrington
- Living people
- Politicians from Liverpool
- Alumni of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- British special advisers
- Labour Party (UK) MPs
- Members of the United Kingdom Parliament for English constituencies
- Secretaries of State for Health (UK)
- UK MPs 2001–2005
- UK MPs 2005–2010
- UK MPs 2010–