Defiant Burnham rejects 'experience' critics

Thursday, 16 September 2010 10:14 AM

By Alex Stevenson

Andy Burnham has dismissed claims he lacks the experience to be Labour's next leader, in an interview with politics.co.uk.

The shadow health secretary insisted his three years in the Cabinet under Gordon Brown had seen him take on "tough, if not tougher, jobs" than his rivals, as he sought to shake off claims he lacks the heavyweight CVs of candidates like former foreign secretary David Miliband and former children, schools and families secretary Ed Balls.

Read the full interview with Andy Burnham here

Mr Burnham, 40, began his ministerial career in 2005 with the identity cards portfolio at the Home Office, before moving to the Department of Health as minister of state.

Under Mr Brown's premiership he was promoted to the Cabinet, serving as chief secretary to the Treasury, culture, media and sport secretary and finally health secretary.

"I did some of the toughest beats in British politics," he told politics.co.uk.

"I sometimes feel a little frustrated, I've heard it on this campaign trail - has he got the experience? I've done as tough if not tougher jobs than all of my contenders.

"My approach to the big issues was always never to run away, to face up to it and that is the only way in politics."

Mr Burnham defended his record in government during the interview - and hit back at rival Ed Miliband over Labour's record on the controversial identity cards scheme which has now been scrapped by the coalition government.

"I'm disappointed when I hear Ed Miliband... saying this illustrated our disconnection [with voters]," he added. "I really don't agree with that at all, in fact."

The former Home Office minister remains unrepentant on the issue, suggesting his views reflect those of Labour voters rather than the party's membership.

"I still think if you asked the average mainstream Labour voter today if they supported ID cards they'd say 'yes they do'," he added.

The Leigh MP, who has fought against the 'northern candidate' label with a campaign dominated by anti-establishment rhetoric, criticised New Labour for becoming fascinated with big business and the media.

"Labour, which for me must be about breaking down elites in any part of society, became perceived as constantly courting elites or going cap in hand to elites," he said. "That makes me distinctly uncomfortable."

The new Labour leader will be announced on September 25th.

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• health
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• labour
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• party politics