Barney Ronay argues that Andy Burnham’s comments supporting drinking alcohol in football stands were a personal opinion, not a serious policy proposal. He says the idea is both politically insignificant and misguided, since alcohol has been banned near the pitch for decades for good reasons and expanding access to it does not address the country’s pressing problems.

The article places Burnham’s remarks within his broader political style, portraying him as a skilled communicator who uses approachable, highly personal messaging to avoid the public hostility directed at politicians. Ronay suggests Burnham may see the issue as an easy, popular talking point during an informal period of electioneering, but maintains that supporters can already drink abundantly elsewhere, with urban centres averaging about 60 alcohol outlets per square mile.