The Evertonian said he ‘appreciated the advice’ from Everton fans
21:53, 17 May 2026Updated 21:54, 17 May 2026
Andy Burnham looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium on May 17, 2026(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Andy Burnham has said one thing he heard at the Everton game today will “stick in his mind”. The Mayor of Greater Manchester has been cleared to run for selection as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election.
On Thursday, Makerfield MP Josh Simons announced his resignation from his role in the Greater Manchester constituency, leaving the door open for Burnham. If he is successful, Burnham is widely expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour Party leadership. This week over 90 Labour MPs called on Starmer to resign in the wake of poor local election results.
Burnham, who was born in Aintree and is a lifelong Evertonian, was spotted in a retro Blues top and short black shorts on Friday morning as he went for a run close to his home in Warrington.
Burnham returned to Merseyside today to watch The Toffees face Sunderland in the Premier League. In a disappointing afternoon for the Blues, they surrendered a half-time lead to lose 3-1 to Sunderland who leapfrogged them in the Premier League table. It was a result that all but ended Everton’s hopes of playing in European competitions next season.
Burnham was spotted talking to other Everton fans at the game(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
There was a moving scene before the game however as Everton and Sunderland supporters came together to display a Bradley Lowery banner.
Bradley, who died aged six in 2017, became a symbol of hope and inspiration because of the the courage he showed in his fight against Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. He forged a special bond with Evertonians when he appeared as Sunderland’s mascot against the Blues at the Stadium of Light in September 2016.
In a post on X this evening, Burnham shared a picture of this banner as he set-out his views on how the Labour Party needs to change.
Burnham said: “Not the result we wanted. But thanks to everyone who came up to speak to me today. Appreciate all the advice and agree with the main consensus: ‘Get new running shorts.’
“The one bit that sticks most in my mind? ‘You need to be clearer that Labour left us. We didn’t leave Labour.’
“I agree. From here on, I will say it more clearly: mine is a campaign to change Labour back to the party people used to know. A party solidly on the side of working class people. Make no mistake about that.”
A flag of Bradley Lowery is displayed between the two sets of fans during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland(Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Referring to the Bradley Lowery tribute, Burnham added: “Despite what happened on the pitch, Everton FC once again excelled off it. It gave me hope that, despite everything, we can re-build more unity in our country.”
A Labour leadership contest has not been triggered at this stage, with any candidate needing the backing of 81 MPs to challenge Starmer. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned from his post last week over Starmer’s leadership, has confirmed his intention to stand.
Other candidates in a future contest could include the former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.