Andy Burnham expresses gratitude following father’s passing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed his gratitude for the messages of support following the death of his father, stating that it “means a great deal”, reports BritPanorama.
Downing Street confirmed the death of the Prime Minister’s father Roy, who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s, earlier this week, leading Burnham to cancel several engagements. In a post on X, he noted that the tributes from leaders of other political parties had been particularly heartwarming during this difficult time.
Burnham wrote: “We are grateful to everyone who has shared a kind message about my dad, particularly the leaders of the other parties.” He continued, “My family and I have been helped through this difficult time by people’s warmth and compassion. It means a great deal to us and we wanted to say thank you.”
This personal experience has further motivated Burnham’s efforts to reform the social care system. In a key address in July, he pledged to support “my dad and the millions like him” facing the challenges posed by the current system.
Dementia UK’s chief nursing officer, Paul Edwards, remarked that Burnham’s personal story has “helped shine an important light on the profound impact that dementia can have on the whole family, as well as the urgent need to improve dementia care and support.”
Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, and Green Party leader Zack Polanski, have all extended their sympathies to the Prime Minister.
Burnham’s father, in his mid-80s, previously worked as a telephone engineer with the Post Office before his tenure at BT. Together with Burnham’s mother Eileen, he raised him in Culcheth, Cheshire, alongside his two brothers.
In his book, *Head North*, published in 2024 and co-authored with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, Burnham recounted his “close-knit” upbringing in the 70s and 80s. He reflected, “Neither my dad, Roy, nor my mum, Eileen, went to university. But both could have done if they had grown up in a different time and in a different place.” He added that their determination for their sons to pursue education was evident, stating, “Our family home in Culcheth was always full of music, life, laughter, love and support.”
