I had never heard of Andy Burnham until the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough. I had given birth to my second son two days before and was watching the Anfield memorial service from the hospital.
It feels somewhat mean to say this now, but I was so cross that a politician had been allowed to speak at a memorial service. Midway through his speech, he stopped as the people on the Kop shouted “Justice”, I felt so empowered and was elated that people were chanting at him.
Then I saw the sincerity in Andy’s eyes, and my disgust turned to empathy. My respect for Andy came when the Hillsborough Independent Panel materialised, and when the Panel concluded, Andy earned my trust. In the years that followed, Andy and I became friends.
He has lots of qualities, he’s kind, unassuming, understanding, approachable, incredibly loyal, and empathetic, but the quality I admire the most is that he is unbelievably calm. When he asked me to be a part of the “Hillsborough Law Now” launch, I immediately agreed.
There have been countless times during the process of negotiations for the Public Office Accountability Bill where I have felt totally out of my depth, riddled with anxiety and spiralling in the thought of losing all progress completely, he has taken the time to speak with me at length, explain the process and has never faltered on his hope that we would achieve it – “we will get there Charl, on way or another. I promise you that”.
Hillsborough Law Now is made up of many different campaigners, from many different injustices. Andy completely understands that within all of these different groups, there are many traumatised people.
It is seeing that distress and the damage that injustice does, which has driven him. He genuinely wants to right the wrongs. He has also never made a commitment that he could not fulfil, where there have been areas out of his remit, he has been honest and never hesitates to provide an explanation why.
I was in the House of Commons for Keir Starmer’s final speech on the Public Office Accountability Bill, as I entered the under gallery I was already emotional but as I looked further left I saw Andy’s smiley little face amongst all the MPs, that really made me cry.
Watching Andy give his speech on the Bill is right up there with one of the proudest most of my life. Seeing the original Parliamentary Lead, who brought the Bill in to the Commons, now be a part of its final steps was obviously meant to be.
These past few months have been really strange, watching your friend become Prime Minister is so surreal. But he’s taken it all in his stride.
Cool, calm Andy. He does come with downsides though. His football banter consists of that typical bluenose nonsense, and when i say he is thrilled to be the first Evertonian Prime Minister, I do not exaggerate!
It was lovely to watch on TV last Friday as he became the Leader of the Labour Party. I have also found it highly amusing to change his name in my phone. If you’re reading this, Andy, you’ve been upgraded, love – Bluenose Burnham is now – “Prime Minister Bluenose”.
On a serious note – I’m so excited for our political future, I wish Andy and his family every success in this new chapter and have no doubt that he will do himself, his family, the Labour Party and our country proud, as he always has.