Andy Burnham's Roman Catholic faith is expected to influence his governance as he prepares to enter Downing Street, becoming the first openly Catholic prime minister in nearly 500 years. Richard Moth, the Archbishop of Westminster, suggested that Burnham would draw upon his faith in his official capacity.
"As a Catholic, a Christian, one thinks out of that space, if you like, and that informs conscience, it informs the way we think about things," Archbishop Moth stated. He expressed hope that Burnham's premiership would reflect a strong concern for humanity, addressing the needs of families and the homeless.
Burnham, who was born in Merseyside and raised in the Catholic faith, attended Catholic schools. His entry into Number 10 as prime minister is set to follow Labour leader Keir Starmer. A 19th-century law, the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, technically bars Catholic individuals from advising the monarch on Church of England appointments, under penalty of a high misdemeanour and permanent disqualification from office. However, this challenge is largely considered a formality that can be overcome by delegating such duties to another government minister, a practice previously considered for Boris Johnson.
Burnham has previously spoken about his Catholic upbringing and its influence. In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, he listed Everton FC, the Labour Party, and the Catholic Church as the three most important things in his life after family. While he indicated in 2015 that he was not particularly religious, he maintained his belief in the values and grounding provided by Catholic education, as his children attended Catholic schools. He has also stated that Catholic social teaching underpins his politics.
Archbishop Moth shared a clip of himself discussing Burnham's upcoming premiership on the BBC's "Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg," emphasizing the Catholic focus on the value of the human person. He noted that while he had met with Keir Starmer, he looked forward to discussing matters with Burnham as well.
The religious background of past prime ministers has also been a subject of discussion. Boris Johnson, while baptized Catholic, was confirmed in the Church of England. He was reported to have returned to Catholicism when he married Carrie Symonds at Westminster Cathedral in 2021. Tony Blair converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving office, a decision he attributed to his wife, Cherie. During their tenures, both Johnson and Blair largely avoided public discussion of their faith while in office. Blair's former spin doctor, Alastair Campbell, famously stated, "We don't do God."