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Manchester mayor gets a London paper column

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Under first George Osborne and now under new editor Emily Sheffield, the Evening Standard has become something of a safe exile for onetime players in the Cameroon government. But now it seems the winds of cross-party change are blowing through Northcliffe House as Sheffield took to Twitter to announce the newest signing for the self-proclaimed ‘Voice of London’: newly re-elected mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham.

Burnham’s first outing for his new editorial home was speaking today at the Standard’s London Rising event at which he told the people of London that they do not need to be ‘levelled down’ for the North, adding ‘Don’t believe what people say — I love London.’ Indeed Mr S recalls Burnham very much enjoying the metropolitan life when he was still an MP and speaking at the elite £1,400 a year members’ club Soho House to read ‘a short story about equality and justice’.

Since being elected Manchester mayor in 2017, Burnham’s love for the capital seems to have cooled somewhat.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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