Andy Burnham celebrated his successful Labour nominations by attending a glamorous showbiz awards event with the Manchester band James. The upcoming Prime Minister humorously praised Count Binface for “carrying the hopes of the nation” in the Clacton by-election against Nigel Farage.
Burnham developed a friendship with James after meeting them at a major concert in their hometown venue, the Co-Op Live in Manchester, earlier this year. He also sought the band’s permission to use their 1993 hit “Sometimes” during the Makerfield by-election.
At the prestigious Silver Clef Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Burnham eagerly presented the Legend award to James, sitting with lead singer Tim Booth at the band’s table and receiving cheers from fans when introduced on stage. Throughout the event, he interacted with fans who congratulated him on his victory and took numerous selfies.
Among stars like Lily Allen, Pink, and Sam Fender, Burnham stood out as a focal point of the event, creating a vibrant atmosphere. James’s close sources expressed their astonishment at Burnham’s decision to attend and present the award on the same day he received overwhelming support for his Labour leadership bid.
Burnham’s bid for Labour leadership received backing from 322 Labour MPs, making him the sole declared candidate at the start of nominations. During his speech at the awards show, Burnham expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to present the award, especially as a recently elected backbench MP.
In a light-hearted moment, Burnham playfully mentioned Count Binface and refrained from delving into politics, focusing instead on praising James and their impact. He reminisced about his experiences at James’ concerts and highlighted the band’s musical and lyrical depth, particularly their song “Many Faces” as an anti-racist anthem.
Accepting the award on behalf of loyal fans who have cherished the band’s music, Burnham received good wishes from lead singer Tim, who humorously acknowledged the weight of expectations on Burnham’s shoulders as he navigates the path towards a more egalitarian society.
