I interviewed Andy Burnham a while back, before he was Prime Minister, about integrating health and social care. He’s long believed that this is the way forward. The internet tells me he’s been speaking about it for at least 17 years, first proposing a unified National Care Service in 2009 when he was Health Secretary. I think it may be longer.
I interviewed him for ITN Productions, for a programme on Integrating Health and Social Care, in partnership with one of the medical associations. It may have been the NHS, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) or another similar group. Of course, Sod’s Law, I can’t find my report online – it was a while back, as I say.
I remember him being a very good speaker, very nice and friendly, he had a lot to say on the topic and nothing threw him, in terms of my questions. This is broadly what people say of him now, of course: he’s a good communicator, has the human touch, and is very personable/likeable.
As an aside, for political balance, I also interviewed (the Conservative) Sir Jeremy Hunt MP when he was Health Secretary (2012-2018) for a similar programme, and he was the same: very articulate, friendly, pleasant and nice!
So, as a Communications Coach, what I would say about Andy Burnham is that yes, he does have a relaxed, man-of-the-people, pub-and-football style of speaking – and that appeals to voters, more than a bureaucratic, pen-pushing, finickety style. Commentators point out this is great for building public rapport but it doesn’t automatically solve complex structural or economic problems, of course.
But a smiley, my-door-is-always-open approach (eg posting on social media about his blue T-shirt after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch referred to him as “a pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt”) is positive: it’s good, it works. His upcoming national ‘listening tour’ (going round the country hearing what people have to say) also shows he LIKES people and wants to connect with them and address their concerns, rather than staying remote in No.10. Of course, whether he CAN magic up a solution, is another matter.
What communications coaches have said about his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer is that, however good his intentions, his strategy or policies, something about his strangulated voice and flat delivery managed to kill his message, and make it land poorly, unconvincing and insincere.
My point is:
…and this is my point. Andy Burnham seems an appealing, likeable person and his communications skills will help him get public support. And they’ll help him explain why it’s NOT working, if he can’t wave a magic wand to create a perfect society. I have always said that the job of a political leader (a President, a Prime Minister) is communication – to get out front and convince people that your policies are right, and to get them on board. Other people can do the strategy, if necessary. But you have to be the face of it, the frontman or woman. So my advice is – always pick a leader with good communication skills as a priority (plus hopefully some other skills too, of course).
