He's championed Greater Manchester's pubs and restaurants in his role as the region's Mayor during the coronavirus crisis.
But Andy Burnham stirred up some a debate today after saying that 'London does better pubs'.
In an interview with the Evening Standard, he said he wanted to 'correct a myth' that he doesn't like London.
If only he'd stopped there...
He went on: "I love London. London does better pubs, they are the thing I miss the most from when I lived there."
It's a bold statement to come from the politician, who has fought a lengthy battle to get more help for the region's hospitality sector.
Burnham's refusal to back into Tier 3 without further financial support back in October earned him the nickname 'King of the North'.
His new regal nickname was even turned into a beer, and his likeness has been painted onto the shutters of a Northern Quarter pub.
But his remarks have divided pub-going locals, with some saying that our 'messiah' deserves to have his 'regal title suspended'.
Andrew Walmsley commented on Facebook: "I thought Burnham was messiah of the north now he slates our pubs?"
On Twitter, Melanie Horrocks commented : "Something else I disagree with Andy on! I’m a fan of this cities marvellous bars & pubs - looking forward to being “out out” again to enjoy them!"
Playing on the Game of Thrones reference, Julie Williams posted: "He knows nothing!"
Others have named some of their favourite pubs as the best of the best, including the Marble Arch, which prompted David to say: "No chance, has he ever been in the Marble Arch?, now that pub has some history"
Someone else simply tweeted the word 'Ahem' with a picture of a crisp pint inside The Kings Arms in Salford.
A lot of people did agree with Burnham though - Tom Arnold wrote : "He's right. Manchester has a handful of gems but for a city of its size punches below its weight for proper city centre centre boozers."
Simon Crowther added: "Manchester has some amazing pubs. But there's not many of them. London has far, far more. As much as I live the [pubs] here (I've been going to so e of the above since the mid 80s). London still wins."
Lynds said: "Having lived in both cities, it does"
One thing all seem to agree on is that the beer itself is far better up north than it is in the capital.
Simon William Farmer Davies-Hall commented: "Beer in Mcr far better on average - but plenty of exceptions to the rule on both sides."
He also said: "His regal title needs to be suspended until a retraction is forthcoming."
D Booth added: "Yes but what comes out of the pumps isn’t......"
On Twitter, Jase pointed out that Manchester's lack of outside space has let it down, writing: "I love my Manchester pubs but one thing it does suck at in comparison with other cities is beer gardens or outside seating. It's weird how it took a Pandemic for that to improve"
What do you think? Does London have better pubs than Manchester? Let us know in the comments below.
