Andy Burnham is the U.K.’s New Prime Minister — Here’s What the Music Industry Needs From Him
Categoria: Musica
Burnham is a fan of The Smiths and Oasis. Industry execs hope that his genuine love of music translates to forward-thinking policies.
Por Billboard | 20/07/2026
Few, if any, modern British politicians have cultivated as visible a relationship with music as Andy Burnham . On Monday (July 20), the former mayor of Greater Manchester assumed the role of prime minister of the U.K. following the resignation of Keir Starmer , and his longstanding affinity for these isles’ rich musical heritage — and the wider industry that underpins it — has taken on renewed significance. Burnham’s appointment in the role has given the U.K. music industry belief that the sector can remain central to the U.K.’s policy agenda. “We hope he backs our music-makers on a wide range of issues, from streaming and ticketing reform to protecting their rights in AI licensing deals,” says Annabella Coldrick , chief executive of the Music Managers Forum. Related Blur Drummer Dave Rowntree’s Proposed Class Action Against PRS For Music Struck Down by Appeals Judge Desiigner Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge in South Carolina DJ Quik Says His Son 'Made a Mistake' Following Murder Conviction, Pleads With Fans to Stop Asking About It Coldrick says that Burnham’s previous stint as culture secretary is a “huge positive” in the eyes of the MMF and its members. She believes the tenure would have given him “a strong understanding of how the U.K. music industry operates, including the critical role of managers, and the importance of ensuring artists, songwriters, musicians and producers can make a viable living from their craft.” Burnham began his political career in 2001 as a Labour MP for Leigh, located near Wigan, and he went on to assume the role of chief secretary to the Treasury. In 2008, he was appointed the role of culture secretary, then he was promoted to health secretary. In 2017, he was elected mayor of Greater Manchester, a role he held for nine years. Throughout his political career, Burnham has become known for his tendency to litter interviews and speeches with reminiscences of his teenage love of indie rock. In 1989, he stood in the crowd of The Stone Roses’ show at Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom, telling The Guardian that it was “probably the best gig I’ve ever seen,” and also attended The Smiths’ concert at Salford University three years earlier that coincided with their landmark album, The Queen Is Dead . Burnham’s love of music has continued to last — more recently, he did a ranking of other legendary Manchester acts on TikTok, putting Oasis on top. He shared the stage with The 1975 at the city’s Parklife Festival in 2017 honoring victims of the Ariana Grande concert bombing. During his time as mayor, Burnham led a Greater Manchester delegation to SXSW in Austin, Texas to officially unveil the region’s Beyond The Music festival, while also overseeing the arrival of Factory International, which operates state-of-the-art venue Aviva Studios , affirming Manchester’s place as the U.K.’s second city in regard to musical culture. In the final months of his term, Burnham played a key role in bringing the BRIT A