Northerners face discrimination in London, says Greater Manchester Mayor

Andy Burnham has highlighted the lack of Northern Prime Ministers. Credit: PA

The Mayor for Greater Manchester has criticised Westminster politics as "deeply dysfunctional" and "poisonous" - highlighting the lack of former Prime Ministers who have come from the North of England.

Speaking to GQ, Andy Burnham also claimed that Northerners can face discrimination in London, "in certain walks of life".

Harold Wilson, from Huddersfield, remains the only Labour prime minister born in northern England.

Both incidents took place in the Strangers' Bar in the House of Commons. Credit: PA

Mr Burnham, who left the Commons for his role as a regional mayor in 2017, said Westminster had become "a living nightmare" and suggested the rise of social media was partly to blame.

The Greater Manchester Mayor believes a Credit: PA

Mr Burnham also warned that a second referendum on Brexit should only be used to stop a no-deal exit from the European Union - whereas Labour's official policy has evolved to say there should be a vote on any deal that emerges from Parliament.

The Greater Manchester mayor said: "As difficult as it is, I think the public interest still lies in doing a moderate Brexit deal. Anything else risks divisions that will last for generations."

The full interview can be seen in the August edition of British GQ, out on July 5.