Talk:Andy Burnham

Religious beliefs

In an LBC interview on 22 July 2015, Andy stated that he was brought up a Catholic, but now doesn't do God. He identifies as an Agnostic (I would call him an Atheist, but this isn't the place for this debate). See the interview here. The question comes in at around 24 minutes, with Andy's answer a minute or so later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdilqTK0ixw

"Place of birth" description is incorrect

"Burnham was born in Old Roan in Aintree, Liverpool,"

Aintree is close to Liverpool but is NOT within the city and therefore should NOT be described a such.

Also in the details box where his date (7 January 1970) and place of birth are given it says "Aintree, Merseyside". This is incorrect because 'Mersyside' did not come into being until 4 years after his birth, i.e. 1st April 1974. Therefore because Aintree wasn't and still isn't part of Liverpool, his place of birth can only be truthfully described as follows... "Old Roan, Aintree, Lancashire, England, UK" ...Simples...

King of the North

The term "King of the North" is borrowed from Game of Thrones, is it not? If so, would it be worth adding a brief note explaining the reference? AGiantPulsatingMindisaTerribleThingtoWaste (talk) 02:50, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Do we have a source that links the two? I don't think expanding on it on the (already heavy) lead would be a good idea, but we could put it in the body somewhere. JeffUK 10:38, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 15 May 2026

in the Head North section in the Political Views section, Burnham is misspelled as Burham. Change "In 2024, Burham" to "In 2024, Burnham" ~2026-29254-11 (talk) 07:42, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

•  Done--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 07:55, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Add mention of 2026 Makerfield by-election in the lead

He will stand in the election ~2026-29058-56 (talk) 20:21, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

This could be added. On a slightly different note, the WP:LEAD is now too long at five paragraphs and should be trimmed back.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 20:44, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

@Ianmacm agree the lead is way too long.

I suggest the following changes to the leader:

1) opening paragraph is fine but could end with a sentence describing the most recent state of his byelection/leadership attempt, since thats why most people will be coming to the page at present.

2) para 2 can be something brief about his brithplace and early life, but seperate out the politics part

3) greatly condense the poltical/westminster text (paras 2-5). what do ppl think are the most pertinent points to keep?

5) keep the final para on his mayoral role as its the most recent

6) if he is successful in the byelection then its probably worth having a final para that tracks those recent events. DecFinney (talk) 16:26, 17 May 2026 (UTC)

MOS:LEADLENGTH says "The leads in most featured articles contain about 250 to 400 words". The current word count here is around 700 words, so it is about twice as long as recommended. The lead is only intended as a summary.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 19:12, 17 May 2026 (UTC)

@Ianmacm do you think its be bettee to sanbox a fresh one from scratch, or incrementally reduce the existing one in place? DecFinney (talk) 19:28, 17 May 2026 (UTC)

There needs to be a serious look at what actually needs to be in the lead. Somehow it has just growed to the point where a lot of it is repeating what can be found later on in the article. Some WP:BOLD editing needed here, I don't think a sandbox version is needed.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 19:39, 17 May 2026 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 17 May 2026

Change

Born Andrew Murray Burnham 7 January 1970 (age 56) Aintree, Lancashire, England

To

Born Andrew Murray Burnham 7 January 1970 (age 56) Aintree, Merseyside, England ~2026-29566-54 (talk) 11:29, 17 May 2026 (UTC)

•  Not done: This is a common request, but Merseyside did not exist until it was established in 1974.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 11:40, 17 May 2026 (UTC)