LIVERPOOL mayor Joe Anderson has backed local hero Andy Burnham in the Labour leadership race. But the mayor insists it has nothing to do with the MP for Leigh being a fellow Scouser, and like him, an Evertonian.
Today we need to wake up to the fact that the Labour Party is in grave crisis
To keep the changes at the top of the party within the Merseyside family, Mayor Anderson has also backed Wallasey MP Angela Eagle for the deputy leadership.
The mayor says had Burnham led the party into May’s General Election, rather than loser Ed Miliband, he would have won and would now be prime minister.
The mayor’s thumbs up for the Goodison Park regular who won the hearts of the Kop with his support for 'the 96' came at a meeting in Liverpool attended by over 300 party members.
The mayor told them: “Today we need to wake up to the fact that the Labour Party is in grave crisis following May’s election defeat. We need to accept the reasons, as painful as they are. No spin can hide the facts of arrogance and taking people for granted. We need to stop fighting the May 2015 election and start fighting the May 2020 one.
“More now than any time in our party’s history we need a leader who has the ability to unite us, the vision our country needs, who inspires us to be the government this country desperately needs.
"Each of the four candidates brings something to the table in terms of the personal ability and desire for change.
“I am backing Andy Burnham to be the next Labour leader and Labour Prime Minister.
“We need a leader who can do three things: bring everyone together – including those who have recently joined – and end the mood of despair that hangs over the party; to be someone credible who is committed to putting us on the road to recovery so we stand a fighting chance in 2020, and finally, someone with broad appeal to the electorate at large. Authentic in style, with honesty and integrity in his heart.
"For my money, Andy Burnham is the only candidate who fits the bill - tried and tested and ready to become leader. We must be a one nation party, not a tribal sect.”
Anderson is backing BurnhamDescribing Andy Burnham as "a genuinely nice guy and, rare in a national politician, a great listener," the mayor continued, “I know, too, he has a core of inner steel and the experience and strength to withstand the pressures of a job that is going to be extremely tough going. I know he is rooted in real life.
"That’s why he is strongly backed by so many Labour councillors and activists – because he sees the problems we’re grappling with out here in the real world. His big idea for integrating health and social care services is exactly the type of practical measure that will make a difference to the lives of millions of older and vulnerable people.”
"If we now take a wrong turn and put idealism before pragmatism, we will have flying cars before we see another Labour government.
"In Liverpool we have painful experience of being out of office because of false promises. No matter how well intentioned, we can only deliver change if we are in government.
"I’m voting for Andy because he’s a listener, a unifier, a grafter and a battler and most of all, because he’s a winner.”
The result of the Labour leadership contest will be announced on 12 September.
