Labour’s ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham Exposed as London Landlord Amid Expenses Row

Labour’s Andy Burnham, the self-proclaimed ‘King of the North’, faces accusations of hypocrisy after it was revealed he profits from renting out a London flat partly funded by old MP expenses, while simultaneously being plunged into a fresh Brexit row.

Burnham’s London Property Empire

Andy Burnham, Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election, has been branded a hypocrite by the Tories after revelations he rents out a two-bedroom Kennington flat in London. According to the Daily Mail, Burnham purchased the property in 2005, and its value has since doubled to £480,000.

The Daily Mail reports that Burnham used taxpayers’ money, via his MP expenses, to pay the mortgage interest on this property. This practice was only scrapped following the 2009 expenses scandal, yet Burnham continues to profit from the asset.

Expenses and Hypocrisy Claims

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake told The Sun on Sunday that Burnham, despite “cries of unfairness against the landlord class,” is “a part of” it himself. Hollinrake stated there is “a certain whiff of hypocrisy” given the flat was “bought thanks to expenses, doubled in value, rented out for profit.”

The Daily Mail also highlighted that in 2015, while shadow health secretary, Burnham was renting out this former council flat. At the same time, he was charging taxpayers around £17,000 annually to rent a different flat nearby. While within the rules, this raised “a lack of judgement” accusation at the time.

Brexit Backlash and EU Rejoin Fears

Adding to his woes, Burnham is embroiled in a new row over his Brexit stance, as the Labour government pushes for Britain to realign with the EU single market. The Daily Mail reported that the government’s chief negotiator, Michael Ellam, has offered to align the UK with EU regulations for free trade in goods.

This comes after Sir Keir Starmer vowed his Labour government would be “defined by rebuilding our relationship with Europe.” Brussels, however, has reportedly countered by suggesting the UK rejoin the customs union or allow freedom of movement, both explicitly ruled out in Labour’s 2024 manifesto.

• Andy Burnham owns a London flat, value now £480,000, partly funded by past MP expenses.
• He has been accused of hypocrisy for renting out the property while lamenting housing ladder access.
• Burnham previously charged taxpayers for a second rental flat while owning the first.
• He is facing pressure over his Brexit stance amid Labour’s push for EU single market alignment.
• Brussels has suggested customs union or freedom of movement in response to UK offers.

What This Means for Britain

This situation exposes the double standards many feel are common among the political class, where rules for them seem different from those for ordinary working people.

The use of past MP expenses to acquire assets that now generate income for a politician raises serious questions about accountability and value for taxpayer money.

For your family, this highlights how politicians can benefit from property investments, while many struggle to afford their own homes or pay their rent.

The Labour government’s push for EU alignment, despite manifesto promises, signals a potential betrayal of the Brexit vote and a surrender of British sovereignty.

If the UK rejoins aspects of the single market or customs union, it could mean accepting EU regulations without a say, impacting our ability to control our own laws and trade deals.

This ongoing debate underscores the deep division within the Labour Party on Brexit and the pressure on politicians to deliver on the will of the British people.

Share if you believe politicians should be held accountable for their past expenses and current policies.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by The Daily Mail. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: Daily Mail | Breaking Brexit News