Daily Mail mocked over article about Andy Burnham’s clothing purchases

The Daily Mail has been mocked for writing a story about Andy Burnham’s clothing choices, claiming that his “luxury” choices will tarnish “his man of the people image”.

Burnham usually opts for casual clothing, such as a t-shirt under a blazer, and has said he only plans to wear a shirt and tie when he is in the House of Commons.

In an article published on Saturday, the Mail criticised the cost of Burnham’s wardrobe, saying he had spent more than £1,000 on an outfit from Private White VC, a Manchester tailor, which he wore during the Makerfield by-election campaign.

The article noted that the £80 Burnham spent on a t-shirt was more than the £45 a year people will save after he cut VAT on electricity bills. 

The piece prompted ridicule online, with users pointing out that Burnham buying some expensive Manchester-made clothes for himself pales in comparison to Nigel Farage receiving £5 million from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. 

“Not quite an undeclared £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is it?,” the social media user wrote.

Another said: “He paid £80 of his own money to buy himself a t-shirt? Whatever next!”.

Co-founder of Novara Media, Aaron Bastani, wrote: “The patriotic Mail doesn’t want a British PM wearing clothes made in Britain. 

“Funny old world. I think it’s excellent that Burnham is championing a British brand!”.

Men’s fashion writer Derek Guy wrote a thread on X about how Private White VC uses European materials and produces everything by hand at a factory in Salford. 

He said: “I know nothing about Burnham or his politics. But I see nothing wrong with the former mayor of Manchester wearing clothes from one of the last factories trying to keep a regional manufacturing tradition alive and employing skilled garment workers at fair wages in the process.”

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward