Interviewed by the Daily Mail, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and William Yarwood discuss the controversial nature of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham's nine overseas trips in two years, highlighted by concerns of political tourism and the potential to appear as air travel points collecting rather than genuine problem-solving. The opposition and mayor's supporters, respectively, argue the importance of showcasing British businesses and supporting the region's growth.
Andy Burnham has enjoyed more foreign jaunts than any other metropolitan mayor. Labour's Greater Manchester leader went on nine overseas trips in two years – including three to the US as well as jaunts to Ireland, Japan and Singapore.
In a blow to his 'man of the people' image, he was even upgraded to upper class on one of his transatlantic flights. The total cost of his globetrotting during 2024 and 2025 was £52,942, figures obtained by the Daily Mail have revealed, though some was covered by his hosts rather than taxpayers.
Mr Burnham was also abroad at the end of last month, at a mayoral summit in Madrid, before it was revealed he plans to return to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir – whose first 39 trips abroad since the election have cost taxpayers £4.2 million. The Prime Minister's time spent out of the country has seen him dubbed 'Never Here Keir'.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was the first to be labelled 'Air Miles Andy' due to his globetrotting lifestyle and use of private jets and helicopters on taxpayer-funded trips. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'It seems the King of the North is so proud of Greater Manchester that he needs no excuse to leave it. While families tighten their belts, Andy Burnham has been fastening his in business class.
' Andy Burnham went on nine overseas trips in two years – including three to the US as well as jaunts to Ireland, Japan and Singapore William Yarwood, campaigns director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'To ordinary taxpayers, these foreign trips look far more like political tourism than essential public business. 'After years of criticism over Never Here Keir, the last thing taxpayers need is an Air Miles Andy more focused on collecting flight points than fixing problems back home.
'Mr Burnham should justify these trips and prove they are delivering tangible benefits for local taxpayers. ' But a spokesman for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority , of which Mr Burnham is the leader, insisted: 'Greater Manchester is an ambitious and outward-looking city region, and we are proud to have been the UK's leading economic growth story over the past decade.
'Our trade delegations are putting our businesses on the map, showcasing British companies in a way that can't be replicated in a virtual meeting. ' Next most travelled was Liverpool's metro mayor Steve Rotheram, a close ally of Mr Burnham, who went on seven foreign trips in two years, costing taxpayers £8,861. These included an 11-day visit to Mexico City, Boston and New York in October 2024, costing £3,120. His office declined to comment.
Third was Labour's London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who went on five trips in two years. His most expensive visit was a six-day trip to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa last July that cost £83,921.
David Cameron Andy Burnham Air Travel Political Tourism Greater Manchester Liverpool London Nigeria Ghana South Africa Air Miles Andy
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