How England's class divide shaped Andy Burnham, the U.K.'s likely next prime minister
Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely expected to become the next UK Prime Minister. His political identity is heavily influenced by his working-class northern roots and his efforts to reconnect the Labour Party with blue-collar voters.
Why it matters
Burnham's potential leadership represents a shift in the Labour Party's strategy to address the UK's class divide and regional economic disparities.
MANCHESTER, England — Born and raised in northern England, Andy Burnham moved to the generally more posh south to study English literature at the University of Cambridge, where one professor recalls him wearing a soccer jersey to class.
The framing focuses on the candidate's 'working-class' appeal and his efforts to help the Labour Party, which aligns with the party's own narrative.
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