Andy Burnham, a leader for meritocracy

By Annajoy David

I first met Andy Burnham two years ago, when he came up to the constituency that I was proud to represent at the general election. What struck me from the outset was his kindness and authenticity.

Andy heard from a mutual friend that I was standing as a candidate. He didn’t know me personally, we had never met, but he offered to come up and help me despite his demanding work schedule – and he did. What struck me was his ease with people and his naturally charming nature; yet he wasn’t full on or in-your-face. His skills were evident to all.

Having spent the day with him I got that sense you can get with humble people – that Andy didn’t quite realise how good he was and how great is his potential to inspire and lead others. I noted his humility and witnessed him praising and putting others before himself. That is the sign and mark of a true leader. I left the day knowing I had met someone with refreshing, rare and endearing qualities – someone not to be taken for granted in public life. The hum and conversation after his visit from many, not just inside our movement but within our community, was: was this was a future leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister in the making, one who possibly didn’t even yet know it himself?

Andy Burnham’s utter commitment and consistency in everything he takes on is a quality which should not be underestimated and is to be admired. Long after the visit to Scarborough and Whitby he kept in touch and worked to help me and a wonderful local school with sporting matters. His natural aptitude for thinking outside the box is clear and has most recently been shown in his social care agenda and his apt focus on the significant issues about how our society operates – notably access to employment and opportunities within civil society to key institutions which should base the appointments and opportunities upon merit, hard work and talent and not on connections. That pitch is inspiring. Andy’s ability to identify and campaign on such issues comes from a clear understanding of who he is; here is a person who at his core is about justice, equality, opportunities – our key Labour values.

As the leadership campaign has progressed, Andy has identified issues that for too long have been off the political agenda. He is setting down a post New Labour agenda not just to us in the party, but to the whole country. People relate to his openness, his integrity and authenticity. His world and values match the demographic of Britain 20 years on from the New Labour project. He is right to say that what he represents is a counterpoint to the ConDem front bench. And if we are to truly be the party of merit, and fairness, we need Andy Burnham as our next leader.

I am Labour because as the daughter of immigrants from India and with little formal education behind me I aspired to succeed, and managed to become successful in business. This is still not commonplace and the road at times has been hard. What I represent is the functioning of a meritocracy that only Labour can bring. Andy Burnham also represents that meritocracy, to millions of people like my parents who worked hard, raised their children, put them through university for the first time, thanks to Labour. We recognise Andy’s story, because it’s our story.

When I look for a leader I look for qualities that demonstrate not only what they have been taught by experiences but the innate qualities that they have as people. Politics is about people, about resources and their distribution – and it’s also about our natural world. I am looking for a leader who has exceptional personal qualities that extend beyond experience. All of the contenders have qualities and experience. What defines Andy above the rest are those innate qualities which make for great leaders; they are glimmers which show us the potential of the leader he can become if we give him that opportunity.