Dear Geordie,
I wanted to write to congratulate you – and everyone who has ever been a part of the Independent – on reaching such an incredible milestone. Forty years is a fantastic achievement; the type we could only dream of in politics!
When the paper was founded in 1986, it was built around an idea that I carry close to me today: independence of mind. It means a lot to me personally because, forty years on, we need that spirit now more than ever.
I have long believed that too much power in this country has been held by too few people, in too few places. That Westminster has become too closed in on itself, and too easily consumed by conversations that mean nothing to the people it is meant to serve. So there is something I particularly admire - something I relate to, even - about the Independent’s history of challenging the status quo, even when it might have been easier to go along with the crowd.
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But you have also shown that independence does not mean an absence of values. Over four decades, this newspaper has stood up for democracy, human rights and Britain’s place in the world. It has consistently sought out different points of view and always strived to give people pause for thought over a pat on the back.
That matters hugely today. At a time when trust in our politics is at its lowest and algorithms can push our children into echo chambers with just a couple of swipes, we need journalism that opens up debate rather than shuts it down. We need media outlets that are prepared to challenge views, challenge politicians, and, yes, challenge me. And we need people who are brave enough to go against the grain.
So a happy 40th birthday to everybody at The Independent – and here’s to the next forty.
With my best wishes to you all,
The Rt. Hon Andy Burnham MP
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