Burnham 'hard act to follow' for new mayor - locals

As Andy Burnham gave his acceptance speech on the stage after he swept to victory in the Makerfield by-election, he spoke of "some sadness" that the appointment brought to an end "my wonderful nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester".

He said it was a "wrench" to have to leave the job he loved, although promised he was not "leaving the service of Greater Manchester".

But what is his legacy according to people living in the region?

Some residents in Salford told of their sadness and disappointment at his departure, after Burnham's return to Westminster politics automatically triggered a mayoral election.

Neil Townley, 59, from Worsley, said: "I'm quietly disappointed to be perfectly honest with you.

"I've always thought Burnham had the North West at heart so obviously he will be sadly missed because of everything - the infrastructure that he tried to put into place, and Manchester has gone from strength to strength since he's been in charge.

"He knows the people, he knows how we function, and basically, I wish him all the best, but he will be sadly missed."

• What is the Greater Manchester mayor and what do they do?

"A great job" is how Spencer Keogh, 56, from Walkden, reviewed Burnham's time as mayor.

He said whoever becomes mayor after the election, which will be held on 30 July, would find Burnham was "a hard act to follow".

Townley agreed, adding: "The next mayor will have to be quite forthright trying to lobby government to make sure that they listen to the North West.

"We've been overlooked for quite a few years and we're quite a powerhouse in the North West and we really need to be listened to."

Jane Battersby, 59, from Tyldesley, in Wigan, said: "The buses have improved vastly, so I will say on that level he has done exceptionally well [as mayor].

"Other than that I've not really thought about it to be perfectly honest."

She added: "I think Burnham's tried to do some good stuff.

"He's a politician and he's always been a politician and I think he was biding his time with this to do exactly what he's done which is to get a seat and then go for prime minister.

"He's played the long game and it's paid off for him."

Reflecting on any future potential mayoral candidates, she said: "I don't know whether the new candidate will be as forceful as he was."

But Battersby is clear on what needs doing, by whoever does get elected.

"It saddens me every time I walk down Deansgate in the morning and I see the homeless," she said.

"The new mayor needs to keep up with transport, not bring in the congestion charge because that's not needed.

"And just hopefully work for the people of Manchester."

Chris, from Roe Green, Worsley, said: "I'm disappointed that he won't be mayor because I think he's done a brilliant job, but wishing him all the best in the future.

"He's done a good job with the transport and stuff like that, so you'd hope we get somebody as good as that next time."

Jim, 78, from Salford, added: "He did a lot for Manchester, he did a lot for the North and we'll miss him."

The Makerfield by-election came after Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down to allow Burnham an opportunity to contest the seat and return to Westminster, paving the way for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.

Mark Neild, 52, from Salford, said he had "mixed feelings" about Burnham's victory in Makerfield.

"I think he's a great guy, a great politician here - but I'm absolutely delighted for the Labour Party because it's a significant victory.

"I don't pay much mind to local politics, more national politics and I think he's the man to save the Labour Party."

But looking to the future in Greater Manchester, Neild said: "We continually need investment, we continually need infrastructure.

"We need hope and we need jobs for younger people my daughter's age.

"To attract as much investment as possible and to try, if they can, to bridge the culture wars that are tearing us apart."

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