Burnham thanks public for support after father's death

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has thanked the public and leaders of other political parties for their support following the death of his father, Roy Burnham. The Prime Minister's father died on Monday after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, prompting Burnham to cancel all scheduled engagements, including a meeting with business leaders and a speech at the Trades Union Congress. In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Burnham wrote: "We are grateful to everyone who has shared a kind message about my dad, particularly the leaders of the other parties. My family and I have been helped through this difficult time by peoples warmth and compassion. It means a great deal to us and we wanted to say thank you." Roy Burnham was 86 and had been residing in a care facility at the time of his death. Downing Street confirmed the passing earlier in the week. The Prime Minister's personal experience with his father's illness has been a central motivation for his stated ambition to reform the social care system. In a July address, Burnham pledged to support "my dad and the millions like him" facing what he described as the unfairness of the existing system.