Labour chooses an Everton fan to be its candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester
He’s resigning as an MP creating a by-election in Leigh
One of the legacies of George Osborne’s chancellorship was the creation of an executive mayor to cover the greater Manchester region. This was the spearhead of the “Northern Powerhouse” which is no longer looked on favourably by the current occupant of Number 10.
You can understand Andy Burnham, after what must have been a bruising failure in last year’s LAB leadership contest, looked round for something else that he could do with his career. These super-city elected mayoralties offer an opportunity which clearly he’s found very tempting.
In the run-off election for the nomination Burnham chalked up more than 50% of the vote and afterwards announced that he would be quitting as an MP and, of course, a member of Corbyn’s shadow cabinet. He said this morning that he would not be backing either contender in Labour’s leadership battle.
Burnham has always been a passionate Everton fan and indeed once declared that the club meant more to him than the NHS. I find it amusing that Greater Manchester will soon be headed by someone who doesn’t support on of its football teams.