Andrew Murray Burnham Biography and Timeline

Birth of Andy Burnham

Andrew Murray Burnham is born in Aintree and later grows up in Culcheth.

Joins Labour Party

Burnham joins the Labour Party while still a teenager.

Fitzwilliam College

Burnham begins studying English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

English Degree

Burnham completes his English degree and prepares for a career in public affairs.

Researcher for Tessa Jowell

Burnham begins working as a researcher for Labour MP Tessa Jowell.

Role range: 1994-1997

Football Task Force

Burnham works for the Football Task Force examining reform of the national game.

NHS Confederation

Burnham becomes a parliamentary officer for the NHS Confederation.

Special Adviser to Chris Smith

Burnham becomes a special adviser to Culture Secretary Chris Smith.

Role range: 1998-2001

Election to Parliament

Burnham is elected Labour Member of Parliament for Leigh.

Role range: 2001-2017

Maiden Speech

Burnham delivers his maiden Commons speech after entering Parliament.

Role range: 2001-2017

Health Select Committee

Burnham joins the Health Select Committee early in his parliamentary career.

Role range: 2001-2003

PPS to David Blunkett

Burnham becomes parliamentary private secretary to Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Role range: 2003-2004

PPS to Ruth Kelly

Burnham serves as parliamentary private secretary to Education Secretary Ruth Kelly.

Role range: 2004-2005

Re-election for Leigh

Burnham retains Leigh for Labour at the general election.

Role range: 2001-2017

Home Office Appointment

Burnham enters government as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Home Office.

Role range: 2005-2006

Identity Cards Legislation

Burnham helps present and defend the Government's identity-cards policy in Parliament.

Role range: 2005-2006

Department of Health Appointment

Burnham becomes Minister of State responsible for NHS delivery and quality.

Role range: 2006-2007

NHS Delivery and Quality Portfolio

Burnham oversees hospital performance, service quality and NHS delivery responsibilities.

Role range: 2006-2007

Entry into Cabinet

Burnham enters Cabinet while serving as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Role range: 2007-2008

Treasury Appointment

Burnham becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown.

Role range: 2007-2008

Culture Secretary Appointment

Burnham becomes Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Role range: 2008-2009

Digital Britain Interim Report

Burnham helps launch proposals for universal connectivity and a stronger digital economy.

Role range: 2008-2009

Sport England Chair Appointment

Burnham appoints Richard Lewis as chair of Sport England.

Role range: 2008-2009

UK Sport Chair Reappointment

Burnham reappoints Sue Campbell as chair of UK Sport.

Role range: 2008-2009

Free Swimming Programme

Burnham's department launches free swimming for eligible young and older residents.

Role range: 2008-2009

Hillsborough Memorial Speech

Burnham responds to demands for full disclosure at the twentieth-anniversary Hillsborough memorial.

Health Secretary Appointment

Burnham becomes Secretary of State for Health.

Role range: 2009-2010

Hillsborough Independent Panel

Burnham helps secure creation of the panel overseeing disclosure of Hillsborough records.

Role range: 2009-2010

Re-election for Leigh

Burnham retains Leigh at the general election.

Role range: 2001-2017

Shadow Health Appointment

Burnham becomes Shadow Health Secretary after Labour leaves government.

Role range: 2010-2010

Labour Leadership Result

Burnham finishes fourth in the Labour leadership election won by Ed Miliband.

Shadow Education Appointment

Burnham becomes Shadow Education Secretary and Labour's election coordinator.

Role range: 2010-2011

First Labour Leadership Campaign

Burnham campaigns for the Labour leadership following Gordon Brown's resignation.

Return as Shadow Health Secretary

Burnham returns to the shadow health portfolio.

Role range: 2011-2015

Hillsborough Independent Panel Report

Burnham welcomes official acknowledgement that Hillsborough victims and supporters were wrongfully blamed.

Role range: 2011-2015

Hillsborough Commons Debate

Burnham calls for coordinated and properly resourced investigations following the panel's findings.

Role range: 2011-2015

Re-election for Leigh

Burnham wins another term as Labour Member of Parliament for Leigh.

Role range: 2001-2017

Labour Leadership Result

Burnham finishes second in the Labour leadership election won by Jeremy Corbyn.

Shadow Home Secretary Appointment

Burnham becomes Shadow Home Secretary after the leadership election.

Role range: 2015-2016

Second Labour Leadership Campaign

Burnham enters the Labour leadership contest following Ed Miliband's resignation.