Burnham lacks decks appeal! Ally reveals Smiths fan new PM was once booed off stage while DJing at a party because of his 'depressing playlist'

By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 12:20, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 12:27, 19 July 2026 He's made no secret of his love of Mancunian bands like the Smiths and Joy Division. But incoming new prime minister Andy Burnham's love of downbeat bangers has not always helped him out when he's been DJing, with an ally revealing he was once booed offstage due to his setlist choices. Bev Craig, who is on course to replace Mr Burnham as Labour's mayor of Greater Manchester, said he was spinning discs at her birthday party when the guests made their feelings felt. Mr Burnham is known to fancy himself on the decks, and while running Greater Manchester took part in charity 'DJ battles', including against former deputy PM Angela Rayner and his Liverpool counterpart Steve Rotheram. But speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg about what Mr Burnham was in to, Ms Craig joked: 'We know about Everton, we know about his DJ skills.  'He probably doesn't talk about the time he was booed off the decks at my birthday party for a depressing playlist, but he is open, he is honest and he is authentic.' Mr Rotheram also weighed in, adding that Mr Burnham was a 'terrible dancer'.  Mr Burnham is known to fancy himself on the decks, and while running Greater Manchester took part in charity 'DJ battles' But speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Bev Craig joked: 'He probably doesn't talk about the time he was booed off the decks at my birthday party for a depressing playlist' Mr Burnham was an early fan of bands such as The Smiths and The Stone Roses in the 1980s. Media for his Makerfield by-election campaign featured tracks by Oasis and Elbow, while New Order was played when he was unveiled as the new Labour leader on Friday. When asked about his current favourite music artist, Mr Burnham recently wrote on Reddit: 'I've been stuck in a Doves phase for quite a while…' Doves are an English rock band that hail from Cheshire. Mr Burnham is expected to formally become prime minister tomorrow.  Allies have said he intends to make a 'dynamic start' to his premiership and he is expected to use the speech to set out plans on the cost of living and highlight his core theme of devolving power from Whitehall to regions across the UK. Reports have suggested he could be preparing to break with another of Sir Keir's policies and approve further oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Labour's 2024 manifesto, which Mr Burnham has promised to honour, said the party would not issue new North Sea licences, arguing they would 'not take a penny off bills' or improve energy security while accelerating climate change. But the incoming prime minister is said to be 'open-minded' about the policy. Mr Burnham was an early fan of bands such as The Smiths and The Stone Roses in the 1980s Media for his Makerfield by-election campaign featured tracks by Oasis and Elbow, while New Order (above) was played when he was unveiled as the new Labour leader on Friday He could claim not to be breaking the manifesto pledge by approving projects at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields, where licences have already been granted, while still not issuing any new licences. Lucy Powell told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that the reports were 'speculation' but added Mr Burnham would take a 'more pragmatic approach'. She said: 'We've been really clear that the way to achieve, in the long term, energy security and lower bills is by ensuring that we do have our own homegrown, clean, much cheaper energy. 'But we've been absolutely clear that North Sea gas and oil is an important part of that transition. 'It's an important part of the mix, and I think what Andy's talking about is taking a more pragmatic approach and working with the industry to make sure that it can contribute to that transition and to the mix that is needed over the long term. 'So let's see what he's got to say about that. But I don't think it's a change of policy. It's more a change of emphasis.'