Andy Burnham talks about his father's Alzheimer's disease and renews support for EU membership

Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, received frequent standing ovations when he addressed the Labor Party's annual conference at the end of September. He received the longest applause when his eyes filled with tears while talking about his father. The sentence "I wish my father could have seen that happy moment we had as a family in Downing Street" touched both those in the hall and those watching on television.

When Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, stepped into 10 Downing Street as prime minister in July, his father Roy was in a care home with Alzheimer's and was not even aware that his son was prime minister; He passed away shortly after, in September, at the age of 86. The greatest pride a father can experience was given to him even though he was not aware of it. Those who gathered around the television to watch the ceremony at the nursing home shouted to the father, "Look Roy, your son is the prime minister!" When they showed him, they would say that their eyes were filled with tears, as if they were perceiving the event. In her speech, Burnham explained that her father was not able to receive a university education due to the education/exam system at the time, that her parents came from the working class, and the difficulties they had in building their first house. "For all its flaws, this country gave my father a good life and gave his sons opportunities that he himself could not get. My father was aware of this and was grateful for it," the Prime Minister said.

Burnham, who saw closely both the difficulties faced by the elderly and the problems of health/care personnel due to his father's illness, emphasized that he would prioritize improvements in these areas.

GIVES A GREEN LIGHT TO EU MEMBERSHIP

Prime Minister Burnham's words regarding Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) were surprising. Burnham stated that Brexit was wrong, that it brought "more harm than good", that immigration control in the UK became more difficult after leaving the EU, and that it became difficult to reach an agreement with member states on this issue; gave the green light to EU membership again. He noted that they had lost some control over the economy as a decade of low growth had left the country in a weak position; “The next ten years won't be like this,” he said. He underlined long-term goals. He emphasized that the summit to be held with the EU aims to increase cooperation on common migration management and border control.

Burnham, who said that he would give a different speech at the beginning of the conference, sometimes made people laugh, sometimes made them cry, praised his colleagues and gave them credit; It touched people with feelings of solidarity and unity and raised hopes. Most importantly, he stated in his speech that he offered "honesty", which is frequently mentioned as lacking in politics, and that he drew a clear direction for the country that everyone loves.

He stated that the largest social housing construction campaign of the post-World War II period would be initiated, that there would be no homeless people in England who would have to sleep on the streets, and that people's energy costs would be reduced. He promised that the health system, which everyone who works and receives services has complained about in recent years, will be reformed and a new national care service will be established from which everyone will benefit, and that the "triple lock" mechanism will be made to regulate pension increases starting from 2030 in order to ensure the financing of the social care service.

Burnham also touched upon the desire for the separation of Wales and Scotland, which has been on the agenda lately, and said, "Instead of being divided, we will always be stronger by standing together in the face of a changing world. I will use this duty to fight with all my strength to build a Britain that represents the kind of equality of opportunity and solidarity that my father wishes to see, and to keep the country together. I will not be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom, on the contrary, I will be the first prime minister to restructure it to make it functional. Together we can do it, we will do it, we can hope again." He gave hope to everyone, young and old, with his words. In the days when the world needs hope, let's say there is hope in the dead soul.