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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jessica Elgot and Pippa Crerar

EXPLAINED: Andy burnham the man who would be king | Rare Historical Photos

Andy Burnham
Burnham has never played the game of pretending that he doesn’t want to enter No 10. Composite: Guardian Design / Getty Images

When Andy Burnham addressed a gala dinner this week, he was as coy as he could have been in a week when speculation about his future ambitions was in overdrive. “I love this job,” the mayor of Greater Manchester said. “I am very happy where I am. I have no ambition to be … ambassador to Washington.”

It was a gag that got a big laugh. Burnham has never played the game of pretending that he doesn’t seek to enter No 10. But he also does not give the standard ambitious politician’s response of saying that no vacancy is available.

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