Andy Burnham – “A real honour” to win the mayoral Labour candidate contest

Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has won the contest to become Labour’s candidate for Greater Manchester’s mayoral election.

Mr Burnham beat interim mayor Tony Lloyd (2163 votes) and Bury South MP Ivan Lewis (1472) to take the winning spot with a total of 3792.

Before the ballot, Mr Burnham told Rochdale Online that  he would work to bring business and jobs to “towns like Rochdale”, and promised that to tackle the “dysfunctional” housing market.

He added: “I have been an MP for 15 years”, he said, and “I have the skills and experience to take on this unique role and make the Northern Powerhouse a reality.”

“I have a track record that shows I am the best candidate for the role. Along with my ministerial experience, I worked to help the families of the victims of Hillsborough, and I would also ask people to look at the work I have done as MP in Leigh.”

• http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/103460/andy-burnham-interview

Mr Burnham has been an MP for Leigh since 2001. He served in the Labour government as Culture Secretary and Health Secretary.

He said it is a “great honour” to be selected as the Labour candidate for the mayoral election.