Burnham’s latest U-turn as he moves into the directors’ box for Everton match – despite vowing to stay in his normal seat
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has abandoned his pledge to sit in his usual seat at Everton matches, instead taking a place in the directors' box for the club's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season. Last month he had insisted he would "find a way" to remain among ordinary fans in the stands, saying it was important to stay "true to his instincts" and keep in touch with the public. The move mirrors that of Sir Keir Starmer, who faced criticism for accepting a privileged seat at Arsenal matches, and raises questions about politicians' pledges to remain relatable once in power.
Burnham was joined at the Hill Dickinson Stadium by his wife, Marie-France van Heel, daughter Rosie, and former Everton midfielder Peter Reid. It is understood he switched seats because he did not want to displace other supporters near his usual spot to make room for his close protection officers, and instead accepted the club's offer of a more comfortable seat in the directors' box near the halfway line. He is expected to continue sitting there or in the directors' lounge for the rest of the season and will need to declare the value of the ticket as a donation on the Parliamentary register.
- Burnham sat in Everton's directors' box despite promising to keep his normal seat.
- Move follows criticism of Starmer's privileged Arsenal seating arrangement.
- Security concerns for close protection officers reportedly prompted the switch.
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Andy Burnham is the Mayor of Greater Manchester, a former Labour cabinet minister who has remained a prominent figure in national politics, and a well-known Everton supporter who has previously made a point of watching matches from a regular seat among other fans. He had publicly promised to keep sitting there rather than take up a more privileged position, framing it as a way of staying grounded and connected to ordinary supporters.
The story matters because it echoes a similar episode involving Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, who was criticised earlier for accepting special seating at Arsenal games despite his own reputation as a lifelong fan. Questions about where politicians sit at football matches have become a shorthand for a broader debate about whether senior figures can stay relatable once they hold power and access to perks that ordinary people do not have.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium is Everton's home ground, and directors' boxes are the exclusive, more comfortable seating areas usually reserved for club officials and guests. Security arrangements for high-profile politicians, such as the need for close protection officers, often complicate seemingly simple choices like where to sit, which is part of the wider context behind this story.