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This General Election was a tragedy for the Labour Party but a bigger tragedy for our country.

Twelve days ago, we asked the public to choose between Labour and a government that left thousands of families relying on food banks, inflicted the Bedroom Tax on the most vulnerable and failed in its core promise to balance our nation’s books.

And yet people still chose David Cameron. More than that – they returned him to Downing Street with an even greater mandate. If that does not make us fundamentally question our future direction as a party, nothing will.

We now need to rediscover our purpose, rebuild trust and reconnect with the public.

Labour were routed in Scotland, went backwards in Wales and rejected in England. We were swept away by the Tories in the south, while UKIP eroded our support in our traditional heartlands.

We need a unifying leader with the broad appeal to win those people back. That’s why I am supporting Andy Burnham and will be doing everything I can to ensure he is elected as Leader of the Labour Party.

I’ve served under many leaders in my life, and I never got to choose them when I served in the Army.

I’m choosing to support Andy because I’m convinced he has the strength, experience and character needed to bring our party together and restore Labour’s connection with the British people.

He is a decent man with a story that will resonate with people right across our country. His journey from humble roots to serving around the Cabinet table speaks to the sense of ambition Labour should have for every child growing up in Britain today.

Andy has used the chances he has been given to stand up for those most in need and protect our National Health Service.

The authentic qualities he would bring as Labour Leader are evident in the leadership he has shown over recent days.

I saw them first-hand when we walked round Barnsley Hospital together, talking to patients and staff. And I saw them again when I watched him bring the House of Commons together when calling for justice for the families who lost their loved ones at Hillsborough. The contrast with David Cameron could not be clearer.

Some have characterised Labour’s future as a choice between fighting for those struggling in poverty and others who are getting by but hoping for a better life.

Andy has rejected this false choice. He has made clear that we will only win again by reaching out to every community across our country, rebuilding the broad coalition of support that brought Labour to power in 1997.

Labour will always be a champion of enterprise and entrepreneurs under his leadership. We should always be on the side of people eager to work hard, get on and succeed.

And Andy has rightly recognised how Labour’s hopes in this election were dashed by doubts about our economic competence. He has tackled them head-on.

Labour did not cause the global banking crisis. Lehman Brothers did not collapse because the last government invested too much in schools and hospitals.

This is a challenging time for Britain. Our future place in the world is uncertain, and the very existence of our United Kingdom is in question. Labour needs a Leader ready to take the fight to this Tory government from day one.

Andy has already shown he is equal to that task. He has seized the initiative calling for David Cameron to live up to his promises of a credible package of immigration reforms, and in defending our national interest of remaining in the European Union.

Labour will win again when we speak for Britain. We face a long and difficult road back. Electing Andy Burnham as the person to lead us on that journey should be our first step.