Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a former Shadow Health Secretary known for his role in the Hillsborough disaster inquiry, has developed a surprising new reputation online: as a 'certified looker'. Social media users have dubbed him the 'King of the North' and 'Manchester Mogger', with fan edits set to Oasis hits and Lana Del Rey songs circulating on TikTok. One account, @baledfx, declared 'FIT PMS ARE OFFICIALLY BACK', while another user posted a compilation of Burnham's images to the tune of Ultraviolence.
The rise of political crushes
This phenomenon is not unprecedented. In 2015, Ed Miliband inspired the #milifandom hashtag, with supporters affectionately calling him 'Milibae'. More recently, Prime Minister Keir Starmer received similar attention after his 2024 election, with rumours—never confirmed—that he was the inspiration for Bridget Jones's love interest Mark Darcy. Former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani have also been subjects of viral thirst posts.
A 2020 tweet captured the sentiment: 'Do I fancy Andy Burnham now or am I just having a breakdown.' Over time, Burnham's eyelashes and laid-back style—often seen in a simple black tee—have become focal points for admirers.
Why people are drawn to powerful figures
According to Georgina Sturmer, a BACP-accredited psychotherapist, the obsession stems from parasocial relationships. 'These might be politicians, musicians, film stars or other people in the public eye,' she explains. 'While elements of these relationships are based on reality, they are often amplified by the assumptions and characteristics that we project onto these people.'
Sturmer adds that power plays a key role: 'It's natural that we might find the idea of a powerful person attractive. If we consider someone else to be powerful, there's an implicit suggestion that they might be able to protect us and keep us secure.'
Psychotherapist Eloise Skinner echoes this, noting an evolutionary basis. 'We might be drawn to leaders of a group, or those who represent status and belonging,' she says. 'We can also be attracted to characteristics that traditionally accompany those in power: competence, ability, resilience, drive, and self-confidence.'
Shared values and hope for change
Shared political values also contribute. A 2021 YouGov survey found 53% of Labour-voting women would not date someone who didn't share their views, and Remain voters were less likely to date Leave voters. Sturmer suggests fans may feel 'a sense of connection built on shared morals and views.'
As Burnham is tipped to become Labour leader and potentially PM, his appeal represents hope. Skinner concludes: 'There can be a sense of attraction towards those who represent a new beginning, mixed with hope or optimism about what this person could bring.'
