In both 2010 and 2015, the now-56-year-old Andy Burnham sought the leadership of the social democratic Labour Party in the UK. However, both times he trailed the winners, Ed Miliband (2010) and Jeremy Corbyn (2015).
But now, for the third time, the odds are in his favour after Burnham built a reputation as both straightforward and successful following nine years as Lord Mayor of Manchester.
He was nicknamed the "King of the North" when he fought for increased support for the area during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic - a topic he knew well after his years as health minister in 2009-10.
Prior to that, he was also deputy finance minister in 2007-08 and minister of culture and sports in 2008-09.
Fight against "London"
Burnham is considered to be part of the "soft left" within Labour - somewhere between the centrist Starmer and the more radical Corbyn. He has clearly marked his opposition to "London", in the same way that politicians in other countries have been happy to point the finger at what is considered a ruling class in Stockholm, Brussels or Washington.
"We have been on a path for 40 years that simply has not worked for the people and places in this part of the world. Now is the time for change," he said in his victory speech after being elected to the British parliament via a by-election in Makerfield last week, according to the AFP news agency.
At the same time, he is also outspokenly against nationalism and describes himself primarily as British, rather than English.
He promises cheaper energy, lower train prices and new industries in the north.
Cheering for Everton
He has spoken warmly about the EU and campaigned to remain in the EU ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum. In the Makerfield by-election, he nevertheless said he would "respect the result" - probably important for voters in an area that voted overwhelmingly to leave.
Burnham is a Catholic and has three children with Dutch wife Marie-France van Heel. The couple started dating at university, but that didn't stop her from appearing on a dating show on British television, which ended with her throwing a pillow at her date - who later became the head of marketing for the Conservative Party.
Despite his strong connection to Manchester, Burnham is originally from Liverpool and supports Everton.
1994-2007: Tony Blair (Prime Minister from 1997)
2007-10: Gordon Brown (Prime Minister 2007-10)
2010-15: Ed Miliband
2015-20: Jeremy Corbyn
2020-26: Keir Starmer (Prime Minister from 2024)
