Andy Burnham

[Steve_uk]

Seems Streeting & Burnham want Starmer to set out a resignation timetable.

Optimistic. Both want one less candidate.  Burnham was nothing to do with Labour in opposition & there win 2 years ago. Now wants a coronation.

Blair stepped down for Brown after 10 years. Neither are Gordon Brown.

Apparently Lady Victoria Starmer is more political than her husband and is urging him to fight on.

[Steve_uk]

An MP just said the country needs Burnham 'because of the Stardust he brings'.

I must have missed that. Maybe should start calling him Andy Obama.

Labour backbenchers will breathe a huge sigh of relief when Starmer goes. They will feel they have more chance of retaining their seats with man of the people Andy Burnham.

[Adam]

Labour backbenchers will breathe a huge sigh of relief when Starmer goes. They will feel they have more chance of retaining their seats with man of the people Andy Burnham.

Don't think a 'Burnham Bounce' will last long. However he can call an early general election while Labour are more popular than now. Some extra MP's may keep there seats and jobs.

[Adam]

Burnham supporters are saying Starmer should step down as a contest will damage the Labour Party.

People should not be worried about that. The public know political parties become bloodbaths quickly.

[Steve_uk]

Burnham supporters are saying Starmer should step down as a contest will damage the Labour Party.

People should not be worried about that. The public know political parties become bloodbaths quickly.

Video for gringo, ngb1066 et al: https://youtu.be/JtDZqp9gcKI

[Steve_uk]

Did you notice Labour is going to change the voting system for the forthcoming mayoral election? I recall too that the government was intent on postponing many local elections until Reform stepped in.

The system is broken. Burnham will be the seventh Prime Minister in ten years.

[Hardy Boy]

Did you notice Labour is going to change the voting system for the forthcoming mayoral election? I recall too that the government was intent on postponing many local elections until Reform stepped in.

The system is broken. Burnham will be the seventh Prime Minister in ten years.

I agree Steve, it’s shocking, hopefully he stands by his word, a new PM should lead to a GE? What’s betting.  What chance has the Country got when you’ve got Southerners voting for a prime minister based on the football club they support?

[Steve_uk]

I agree Steve, it’s shocking, hopefully he stands by his word, a new PM should lead to a GE? What’s betting.  What chance has the Country got when you’ve got Southerners voting for a prime minister based on the football club they support?

Well, I don't think Burnham will call a General Election until the opinion polls move in his favour. I've read all the challenges ahead such as our relationship with Europe and America and defence spending, but it's the economy where the election will be won or lost.

As for Cambridgecutie, I doubt she is representative of the typical Southerner, but then I'm from the North and told I'm not representative of a Northerner either.

[Adam]

Not sure what the big thing about Burnham is.

Didn't do much in parliament except lose to Miliband and Corbyn in leadership contests.

Left parliament years ago to be mayor of Englands 5th/6th biggest city.

Is small, skinny, wears glasses & not very charismatic. .

[Steve_uk]

Not sure what the big thing about Burnham is.

Didn't do much in parliament except lose to Miliband and Corbyn in leadership contests.

Left parliament years ago to be mayor of Englands 5th/6th biggest city.

Is small, skinny, wears glasses & not very charismatic. .

I wouldn't call 5ft 10ins small for his generation. I'm 5ft 9ins and I don't regard myself as small.

He has a slight paunch, probably from drinking too much beer. He could probably diet it off in a few months. https://www.instagram.com/p/DYXRBWtFbGi/

England's cities by size: 1) London 2) Birmingham 3) Manchester 4) Liverpool 5) Leeds.

[Steve_uk]

It's all doom and gloom, I'm afraid. https://youtu.be/p7hUhgAQq9o

[Hardy Boy]

Well, I don't think Burnham will call a General Election until the opinion polls move in his favour. I've read all the challenges ahead such as our relationship with Europe and America and defence spending, but it's the economy where the election will be won or lost.

As for Cambridgecutie, I doubt she is representative of the typical Southerner, but then I'm from the North and told I'm not representative of a Northerner either.

Well, basically, Labour has manufactured a Bye Election to get a new Prime Minister, because the 400+ sitting Labour MPs are too useless to take the role on.  So it boils down to, 30,000 voters have decided our new Prime minister.  If this had happened in China or Russia it would be called Un democratic by Western Countries!

[Steve_uk]

Well, basically, Labour has manufactured a Bye Election to get a new Prime Minister, because the 400+ sitting Labour MPs are too useless to take the role on.  So it boils down to, 30,000 voters have decided our new Prime minister.  If this had happened in China or Russia it would be called Un democratic by Western Countries!

True, but as long as a Prime Minister can command a majority in the House of Commons and can assemble a Cabinet he or she is safe until the next General Election.

[Hardy Boy]

True, but as long as a Prime Minister can command a majority in the House of Commons and can assemble a Cabinet he or she is safe until the next General Election.

Thats True Steve, I’m not questioning that…. it’s a strange form of democracy when a Prime Minister can arrive via a by-election and the votes of 30,000 people, rather than through a General Election  with a MANDATE. Legal, yes. Ideal, I’m not so sure.  Does he tear up the mandate that Labour was elected on? Or does he carry it on?

[Steve_uk]

Thats True Steve, I’m not questioning that…. it’s a strange form of democracy when a Prime Minister can arrive via a by-election and the votes of 30,000 people, rather than through a General Election  with a MANDATE. Legal, yes. Ideal, I’m not so sure.  Does he tear up the mandate that Labour was elected on? Or does he carry it on?

He's said he won't increase the three main taxes: Income Tax, National Insurance and VAT. I've heard he's keen on the Land Transaction Tax, plus the £10,000 Death Tax to pay for Social Care. Apart from that I think the new government will just be a matter of different style and presentation.

Rishi Sunak had the same problem: Tory backbenchers wouldn't support him when he tried to win them over in the tearooms, because they said he had no mandate from the people.