Andy Burnham

[Steve_uk]

I suppose if Sir Keir Starmer has his own thread then Andy Burnham deserves one too. Not, you note, Andrew Burnham, but the diminutive, possibly there as man of the people, someone you can have a pint with down the pub akin to Nigel Farage, or maybe he's always been known like that and it's just the workings of my over-suspicious mind.

Raised in relatively prosperous Culcheth, he made it to Cambridge on his own talents and deserves respect thereby.

He claims that UK plc has been on the wrong track for forty years, conveniently forgetting he was part of the Blair and Brown governments 1997-2010. It will, however, go down well with the former mining villages of Standish, Orrell, Ince and Ashton itself.

He survived the Staffordshire NHS controversy and the £800 million loan to Renaker to build four white elephants, but at the end of the day it's only taxpayers' money, isn't it Andy?  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9M1-NP-3xro?t=5&feature=share

[Cambridgecutie]

I just think the problems are huge.  There are no magic wands/quick fixes whoever is in charge and whichever party.  Its rubbish money for loads of hassle and stress. 

[Steve_uk]

Andy's ad: https://youtu.be/x43kXRjfuEA

[Steve_uk]

Question Time from the by-election constituency, to be held on June 18. https://youtu.be/RxuWBKYLCjI

[Adam]

Some of the residents of Makerfield voted for the MP, rather than the party.

For the MP to resign soon afterwards so someone not voted for can try to get in, has been criticised.

But Burnham says he wants to 'save the Labour Party after 30 years of failure'. But has not said how. Thought they had won 4 landslides in that time.

[Adam]

The residents of Makerfield should not complain if Burnham becomes there MP.

As with Nigel Farage, I'm sure he will spend at least 2 days a year dealing with constituency issues.

[nugnug]

i dont think hell win stammer only let him contest the seat ecause a labour victory is unlikely

[Steve_uk]

i dont think hell win stammer only let him contest the seat ecause a labour victory is unlikely

I think his hand was forced due to the Mandelson scandal.

[Cambridgecutie]

Andy's ad: https://youtu.be/x43kXRjfuEA

Do you think he has been a force for good as mayor of Manchester Steve?

[Steve_uk]

Do you think he has been a force for good as mayor of Manchester Steve?

It's too early to say. He did try to tackle homelessness with A Bed Every Night scheme. There was the health and social care devolution, which has had some success, though the demands of an ageing population will put the service under strain. Policing became a failure with GMP under special measures at one point. The Clean Air Zone policy became a farce when it was scrapped due to its impracticality and £100 million of taxpayers' money was wasted. The bus fares were reduced at the point of delivery, though the nationalization gives the union greater powers, should they strike in future.

[Adam]

Seems he will win the by election.

Believe Starmer will fight a leadership contest. He will believe he has the right to be PM until the next election. And beyond if Labour win it. But that won't stop the individual ambitions of Burnham & Streeting.

Be surprised if Raynor or Miliband join in.

[Steve_uk]

Seems he will win the by election.

Believe Starmer will fight a leadership contest. He will believe he has the right to be PM until the next election. And beyond if Labour win it. But that won't stop the individual ambitions of Burnham & Streeting.

Be surprised if Raynor or Miliband join in.

Makerfield is an artificial constituency comprised of former bits of Burnham's former constituency, Leigh, which I suppose is what attracted him to it. There was a rumour at one time he was going to stand in Bootle, one of the safest Labour seats in the country.

The joke circulating at the moment is the election leaflet pushed through doors: VOTE ANDY BURNHAM. FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ANDY BURNHAM.

[Steve_uk]

Snapshot of the constituency with three days to go: https://youtu.be/MKNqQT8otFg