Three months of PM Andy Burnham: Can he sustain the ‘hope vibe’?

London, United Kingdom – There was a moment towards the end of Andy Burnham’s conference speech in Liverpool that, through silence, spoke volumes.The new prime minister and Labour leader fell quiet.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4UK PM Andy Burnham says it is ‘clear’ Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit votelist 2 of 4UK PM Andy Burnham vows to renegotiate post-Brexit trade deal with EUlist 3 of 4UK PM Andy Burnham met Man City chairman during time as Manchester mayorlist 4 of 4UK police rule out probe into Palestine Action post by PM adviser’s wifeend of listFor 20 seconds he stood, saying nothing. He hadn’t forgotten his words. He was gathering his emotions for a passage of the speech he hadn’t been able to make it through in rehearsals without crying.Burnham’s father had died just a couple of weeks before, and this was the section where he’d talk about it.As the audience realised what was coming they stood, applauding, and urging him on with shouts of “Come on, lad!’ and “Come on, Andy!”Thanking them, he composed himself and continued.Conference speeches are theatre, and contemporary British political standards require that a leader be relatable. But there’s little dou...