ANDY Burnham has hinted he will visit Scotland next month.
In a 3300-word speech delivered after he officially became Labour leader on Friday afternoon, the incoming prime minister mentioned Scotland by name just twice. There was no mention of anything "Scottish" or "Scots".
However, Burnham did suggest that a visit north of the Border would be early on his agenda.
Here are all the times that Burnham mentioned Scotland in his Labour leadership speech.
One: Listing formerly industrial places
The first mention of Scotland in Burnham’s first speech as Labour leader came as he listed previously industrial areas that had “built this Labour movement”. He also mentioned the Clyde, the river which runs through Glasgow.
Burnham said: “This Labour movement, the Trade Union movement, was forged in the steel works and iron works of Sheffield, Scunthorpe, Port Talbot, and Teesside.
“In the coalfields of South Wales, Central Scotland, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. In the mills across the Pennines, west and east.
“In the shipyards on the Clyde and the Tyne. And in the dockyards of Liverpool and here in London. The people of these proud places made Labour.”
Two: Claiming he will lead for everywhere in the UK
Burnham’s second – and final – explicit mention of Scotland came as he listed parts of the UK which he said he will represent.
Burnham said: “I will be a leader for the North, the South, the East and the West. For Scotland, Wales, and for Northern Ireland.
“Yes, the North of England has given me so much – everything, in fact. And in return I have sought to give it the strongest voice I could. That was my job. But now I do the same for everywhere.”
Third: Hinting at a Scottish visit – but focusing on south England
For the final mention of Scotland in Burnham’s speech, you have to read between the lines. It came as he pledged to conduct a tour of the UK during his first weeks as Labour leader.
Burnham said: “I draw my strength from people. I hear things, pick up straws in the wind … that is how we did it. Just to be close and listen.
“And that’s what I will do. I will be out and about in August in all parts of the UK, definitely in the South – and I am off to Gravesend later to show I am for the South too.”
Labour have been asked if there are any further details, or when they might become available.
