I’m backing Andy to build on Keir’s legacy

Last week, I nominated Andy Burnham to be the next Leader of the Labour Party.

Everyone knows I have been unwaveringly loyal to Keir Starmer and have worked closely with him, particularly over the last year.

Under Keir’s leadership, Labour became electable again and returned to government for the first time in 14 years. As Prime Minister, he took on the difficult task of stabilising our economy after years of decline and began rebuilding our public services, taking back control of our railways and bringing down NHS waiting lists.

I believe tomorrow’s historians will be far kinder to him than today’s keyboard warriors.

His government strengthened workers’ rights, delivered greater security for renters (including over 6000 here in High Peak), and through measures such as extending free school meals and lifting the pernicious two-child benefit cap, will have lifted more children out of poverty than any other Labour government.

He leaves behind a legacy that has made our country fairer and stronger, and I want to thank him for his service.

As Keir moves on, I believe it is important that our party unites behind a leader who can build on his legacy. That is why I have chosen to support Andy Burnham.

I’ve worked closely with Andy over the years, and we share many of the same priorities for communities like ours in High Peak.

Together, we worked to secure the extension of free bus travel to young people in High Peak studying in Greater Manchester – saving local families thousands of pounds. We also brought together the Peak Partnership, alongside East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, to work collaboratively on the issues that matter most to our area, from transport and tourism to economic growth.

That is also why I will be hoping Bev Craig wins the Greater Manchester mayoralty. Reform, through things like trying to close Glossop tip and opposing banning disposable BBQs, have shown they don’t really understand the needs and priorities for our area. I’m therefore concerned that a Reform mayor will have no interest in working collaboratively across regions and will scrap the Peak Partnership.

I’ve also seen first-hand how Andy’s leadership has transformed public transport through the Bee Network. Those improvements are already benefiting communities like Glossop and Hadfield, where many residents rely on strong connections with Greater Manchester for work, education and health services.

Andy knows our part of the country. He understands that places like High Peak, and communities across the North and Midlands, deserve the same opportunities as everywhere else. He knows that better transport, stronger public services and investment in local economies are not luxuries – they are essential if we are to create opportunities for all.

We also share many of the same values. Whether it is standing up to powerful water companies that have polluted our rivers and believing that working people should always come before corporate interests, Andy has consistently shown he is prepared to challenge the status quo when it is the right thing to do.

I believe Andy can unite our Party and lead Labour into its next chapter with renewed optimism. I look forward to working with him to continue delivering for High Peak and for Britain in the years ahead.