Andy Burnham to quit shadow cabinet to focus on Mayoral bid
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The shadow home secretary said he had asked the Labour leader to “plan a new shadow cabinet without me”.
DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY
In his speech at the Labour conference in Liverpool, Mr Burnham said he had “given my all” to the party and had “always put its interests above those of factions and personalities”.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe former leadership contender is hoping to be elected as the new mayor for Greater Manchester in 2017.
He said: “This is my 10th conference speaking to you as a cabinet or shadow cabinet minister. And it will be my last.
“It is time for me to turn my full focus to Greater Manchester. That’s why I can tell you all first today that I have asked Jeremy to plan a new shadow cabinet without me, although I will of course stay until it is in place.
“I have given my all to this party and always put its interests above those of factions and personalities. And I have given exactly the same loyalty to all four of the Labour leaders I have served.
“Out there, there’s a demand for big changes in the way this country is run. This party should be the voice for that change. So that’s why I am ready to leave Westminster.
“It’s time to make a change, to challenge the status quo from the outside. It’s time to get the voice of the North heard like it has never been heard before.”