A Prime Minister for us

A Prime Minister for us.

A few months ago, Andy came to visit the brilliant Webb Lane Allotments. No cameras, no media. It was actually one of his last engagements as our Greater Manchester Mayor.

I've been at loads of meetings and events with him over the years, but seeing him away from all the formality showed me something that's stuck with me. Being able to connect with people on a basic, human level might just be the most important skill in politics. Not to sell your politics to them, but so you can genuinely hear them.

That day, Andy got down on his knees to plant with the kids from the local school. He listened to an NHS GP talk about her work using growing for social prescribing. He listened to people helping others through alcohol and addiction. He listened to the community leaders who quietly hold all of this together. He asked questions, he listened, and he helped make connections wherever he could.

Watching him stand outside Number 10 this morning, speaking from the heart, took me right back to that day at Webb Lane.

He took a little piece of our community down to Westminster with him.

🌹