Lincoln MP Karl McCartney has faced criticism for his use of the term “schizophrenic” to describe Andy Burnham’s strategy for the Integrated Railway Plan, with a constituent writing a letter demanding an explanation, an apology or both.
McCartney made the comment during a Transport Select Committee inquiry into the Integrated Rail Plan on Wednesday, February 2, which outlined the government’s proposals to transform transport networks for England’s northern regions.
The plan has come under scrutiny, with many opposition figures suggesting funding levels will be significantly lower than initially promised by the government.
The Integrated Railway Plan was published for the first time in November, and detailed the eastern section of HS2 to Leeds, which has since been shortened to not reach Yorkshire, as well as a high-speed line between Leeds and Manchester, which will now be the cheaper alternative from Warrington to Marsden.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
This came to a head during the select committee inquiry, when Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, told the government that it must properly fund the North to prevent it from having “the second best in 200 years or more”.
The Conservative MP warned Mr Burnham “Do not bite the hand that feeds you” in response to complaints about lack of funding for the North and Midlands, before calling Burnham’s strategy of challenging the government “slightly schizophrenic”.
He said: “In private saying ‘please sir can I have more’ like Oliver, and then going out in public and trying to hit the government like the Incredible Hulk, do you think that’s good for you and the people of Manchester? ?”.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester’s response to this was: “You’re saying we should get what they give us, how about we get what they promised us? Because in reality it is your government that promised all this.”
Surprisingly testy atmosphere in the investigation of the previous Integrated Railway Plan. Conservative MP Karl McCartney questioned whether Andy Burnham understood the phrase ‘don’t bite the hand that feeds you’ about public criticism of the IRP. Burnham replied, “I want to get what we were promised.” pic.twitter.com/2dpgBQ1n07
—Chris Burn (@ChrisBurn_Post) February 2, 2022
Karl McCartney’s comments were widely criticized online, with several people questioning whether such a frivolous mention of a serious mental health condition should be tolerated.
Thomas Dunning, aka Mental Health Runner, wrote a letter to McCartney asking him to explain what he meant when he used the term “schizophrenic.”
Thomas Dunning was included in The Lincolnite’s 30 Under 30 and won an NK Community Champion Award in 2021. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
In the letter, Thomas says: “Your statement to Mr. Burnham I find disturbing and distasteful and is therefore the subject of this letter.
“I want to know exactly what you mean when a strategy can be ‘slightly schizophrenic.’
“Are you using a mental health stigma for personal gain and attacking another party? Are you claiming that Mr. Burnham is unfit for the topic due to mental health issues? Are you suggesting on a national platform that Mr. Burnham’s just response is one that only someone with psychosis can say or understand?
About one in 100 people will experience schizophrenia at some point in their life, with symptoms including delusions, changes in body language and emotions, and disorganized thinking, while patients experience auditory and/or visual hallucinations.
Thomas, who appeared in the lincolnite30 under 30 list for 2021 thanks to his Mental Health Runner project, he goes on to offer some suggestions on what he would like the Lincoln MP to do in the future.
He continues: “I want you to retract your statement to Mr. Burnham and publicly confirm what you meant. There are too many people and charities in the UK and the world trying to combat mental health stigma and prevent suicide attempts or completed suicides by patients; all so that people like you in political power feel that it is right to do so.
“I am pleased to provide a platform to apologize to Mr. Burnham and the mental health community. I might suggest that he take part in a mental health awareness course so that he can see both sides of how his statement can be seen.”
the lincolnite has contacted Mr. McCartney for comment, but he had not responded at the time of publication.
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