For the first time in modern-day history, the UK is being led by a Prime Minister who publicly identifies as a practicing Roman Catholic.
Labour Party politician Andy Burnham was sworn in as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Monday, July 20. Now that he has officially taken office, his core values on certain topics and issues in our modern-day society is likely to come to the forefront.
Previous records demonstrate, Burnham’s governance and stances on certain topics and values are defined by a distinct tension between his personal faith and the progressive social policies he champions.
The new PM was raised in a devout household where he and his brothers served as altar boys. He has frequently described his Catholic identity as deeply ingrained but “unshowy.” In a 2009 interview, Burnham stated that the three most important things in his life are “Everton Football Club, the Labour Party, and the Catholic Church, in that order.” This introduces a unique constitutional quirk regarding his role in advising the Crown on Church of England episcopal appointments, a practice traditionally restricted for Catholics under the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829.
However, Burnham’s brand of faith has been described by some individuals as an “à la carte” Catholicism. While he applies the principles and practices of Catholic social teachings, primarily focusing on equality, fairness, and reducing poverty, he fundamentally breaks with the Church’s traditional stances on human life and sexuality. During his time in Parliament representing Leigh, Burnham consistently voted to expand abortion access, including voting against lowering the 24-week legal limit, and also refused to support bans on sex-selective abortions. He has also advocated for the legalization of assisted dying for terminally ill adults. This stance has drawn heavy criticism from conservative Christian groups who argue that his policies fail to align with the core morals of his professed faith.
Throughout his political career, Burnham has also been straightforward about his stance on LGBTQ+ issues, and has aligned himself firmly with progressive social reforms. In Parliament, he consistently voted in favour of the introduction of same-sex marriage and supported the Gender Recognition Act. He also voted to allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt children.
During his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham further institutionalized this support by establishing the Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Equality Panel in 2018. This advisory group ensures queer voices directly influence regional policy. Even in his interactions with the Vatican, Burnham has pushed the envelope. Following a highly publicized meeting with Pope Francis, the new Prime Minister praised the late pontiff; however, he openly admitted he had previously urged the Holy See to bring the Catholic Church “into the 21st century” regarding the recognition of LGBT rights.
His support for the LGBTQ+ community sheds light on Burnham’s aggressive opposition to conversion therapy, a practice that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In May 2022, speaking on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Burnham took a decisive step that was different from the national government’s legislative timeline.
While the central government at the time wavered on whether to include transgender individuals in a proposed ban, Burnham rallied the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to enforce a total, zero-tolerance policy. He passed strict measures ensuring that any organization, business, or community group promoting or facilitating conversion therapy for any member of the LGBTQ+ spectrum would be entirely stripped of public funding and institutional support.
Burnham also vocalized his stance regarding the implementation of a Digital ID. Burnham has historically favoured state-led modernization when it serves public equity. However, he has faced continuous pressure from civil liberties groups regarding state overreach. His approach to digital infrastructure, including the concept of Digital IDs, has consistently balanced technological efficiency with social safeguards. He intends to scrap the government’s plans for a digital scheme and aims to prioritize issues such as the cost of living.
The new Prime Minister also stated his stance regarding mandatory vaccination. While he has acknowledged that standard medical practice already required vaccines for illnesses like Hepatitis B, Burnham labelled the coronavirus mandate as “heavy-handed” and counterproductive. Burnham argued that persuasion and strong encouragement should always take precedence over state ultimatums. “I personally don’t want to see the termination of NHS staff contracts,” he warned, cementing his philosophy that public health is best achieved through community trust rather than administrative force.
As he takes the position of Prime Minister, the nation will watch how he balances his faith and the secular progressive future of British governance.