Britain · updated 2h ago · 2 min read
Andy Burnham Cancels Monday And Tuesday Engagements After Father Roy Dies At 86
Roy Burnham, Andy Burnham's father, died at 86 after Alzheimer's disease. Andy Burnham canceled all engagements for Monday and Tuesday.
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4 of 6 outlets skipped it: care home staff showed Roy footage of Burnham entering Downing Street.
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Burnham cancels engagements
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham cancelled official engagements for Monday and Tuesday after his father Roy died at the age of 86, Downing Street said in a statement.
“cancelled official engagements on Monday and Tuesday”
BBC reported Roy Burnham had Alzheimer's and was in a care home, and said Burnham had been due to host a meeting of business leaders in Downing Street on Monday and expected to speak at the annual trade union TUC Congress in Brighton on Tuesday.
Burnham told the BBC that while his father could not be there when he entered No 10 to take up the role, he and his mother had "exchanged a few words about my dad and how proud he would be".
In July, Burnham said his father's illness was so advanced that he did not know his son had become prime minister, and he later said care home staff had shown his father footage of him entering Downing Street, calling it a "wonderful" thing.
Condolences across parties
Opposition politicians offered condolences to Burnham and his family, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch telling the BBC that "No matter how old you are, or how much you try to prepare, losing your father is a profoundly painful experience."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said, "My heart goes out to the prime minister on the loss of his dad," adding that "From our conversations he sounded like a wonderful man."
Green party leader Zack Polanski said, "There are moments in life such as this sad time that transcend politics and I join the whole country in sending condolences," as BBC described condolences coming from across the political spectrum.
Sky News also reported Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said, "My thoughts are with Andy and his family at this terribly difficult - and sad time," and said Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told the House of Commons, "I am sure the whole House will want to send our best wishes to him and his family at this sad time."
Social care reform focus
Burnham linked his family experience to plans to reform adult social care in England, telling the BBC that his father's condition influenced his drive to reform adult social care.
“"my dad and the millions like him"”
The BBC said Burnham wanted to help "my dad and the millions like him" when setting out plans to reform adult social care, and it reported he was "overwhelmed" by the skills and professionalism of care workers supporting his father.
Sky News added that Burnham's experience was "one of the driving factors in his plan to reform the social care system" and said he had promised to help "my dad and the millions like him" dealing with the unfairness of the current system.
The Guardian also said Burnham had talked about wanting to improve social care in part because of his experiences with his father, and it quoted his July remarks that he found it humbling to see the "skill and the care and the professionalism" of care workers like those looking after his father.