What I think will happen tomorrow

Galaxy

It would be a beauty contest if you were in charge of the task Suzie

Actually - how about it ? Let’s choose a shadow cabinet based on those with the most beautiful hair. Who else has good hair? It might be as good a way as any- who knows?

This is a good head of hair. Would anyone notice he’s from the wrong side of the house?

You need to contact Starmer, this is a brilliant plan.

London is doomed! Absolutely fed up that my votes counted for nothing. Wish I could opt out of all London charges since my vote has never in my lifetime reflected my choice Where is the fairness that I've always had to finance other's preferences?

Rosie My vote doesn't count either. I live in a Tory stronghold (although they just lost the district council to independents) and that will never change. That's exactly why a first past the post system isn't democratic.

You can be consoled that the Mayor of London doesn't in reality have that much power. Most of it still comes from central government. Unfortunately, that's no consolation to me.

suziewoozie

Anniebach

He needs a reshuffle, bring in Benn and Cooper and a few more
are wasted on the back benches

I agree with those two names but is a reshuffle a sensible first step?

Rumours are that there will be a reshuffle.

Superficial as it might seem, he needs to bring in some people who perform well on TV.

It pains me to say this because I think she has some good ideas, but he needs to replace Annaliese Dodds as Shadow Chancellor. She has the charisma of a dead goldfish.

Urmstongran

Now the in-fighting has started already in the Labour ranks. If I was Keir Starmer I’d resign. All this wouldn’t be good for my blood pressure.

Sorry if it appeared I was shouting.

I think Keir Starmer is perfectly capable of looking after his own blood pressure. I wouldn't fret about that.

GrannyGravy13

Annelise Dodds needs to go in my opinion!

I didn't spot this post earlier. I agree.

One possible reason why Teesside voted Tory. I have a connection with Teesside and have been keeping an eye on Ben Houchen and admit that he seems to be a positive influence. Labour should take note.

Ooops! Forgot the link

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/08/houchenism-the-brand-of-can-do-tory-threatening-the-left-and-right-old-guard

I think there’s an interesting discussion to be had about elected mayors. When they were first introduced, I was very sceptical but over time I’ve really changed my mind and wish I had one.

Interesting isn't it in the same edition of the Guardian there is an article about Andy Burnham returned as Manchester mayor with 67% of the vote. Is it perhaps another sign that politics is all about personalities and not policies these days?

suziewoozie

I think there’s an interesting discussion to be had about elected mayors. When they were first introduced, I was very sceptical but over time I’ve really changed my mind and wish I had one.

I suspect that Johnson is thinking the opposite now?

Whitewavemark2

suziewoozie

I think there’s an interesting discussion to be had about elected mayors. When they were first introduced, I was very sceptical but over time I’ve really changed my mind and wish I had one.

I suspect that Johnson is thinking the opposite now?

You know Patel wants to change the voting system for Mayors back to FPTP ? It would be interesting to analyse this lot of results to see if it would have made a difference?

She must think it would, otherwise why?

Possibly trisher. Most people I know think he’s a chancer and didn’t vote for him!

Trisher Is it perhaps another sign that politics is all about personalities and not policies these days?
If you read the article about Ben Houchen that Growstuff posted a link to, you’ll see that in his case it’s not about personality at all but about the fact that he has made things happen & brought about positive change for Teesside.

I think too that Andy Burnham is far from being just a ‘personality’.

Urmstongran

Possibly trisher. Most people I know think he’s a chancer and didn’t vote for him!

Well that probably tells us more about the people you know than it does about AB?

janeainsworth

Trisher Is it perhaps another sign that politics is all about personalities and not policies these days?
If you read the article about Ben Houchen that Growstuff posted a link to, you’ll see that in his case it’s not about personality at all but about the fact that he has made things happen & brought about positive change for Teesside.

I think too that Andy Burnham is far from being just a ‘personality’.

That’s part of what I mean about the role being so interesting and innovative .

suziewoozie

janeainsworth

Trisher Is it perhaps another sign that politics is all about personalities and not policies these days?
If you read the article about Ben Houchen that Growstuff posted a link to, you’ll see that in his case it’s not about personality at all but about the fact that he has made things happen & brought about positive change for Teesside.

I think too that Andy Burnham is far from being just a ‘personality’.

That’s part of what I mean about the role being so interesting and innovative .

But the point is that as far as policies go these two men are at opposite ends of the spectrum. So what is the common factor? It has to be personality because it's certainly not politics.

trisher

suziewoozie

janeainsworth

Trisher Is it perhaps another sign that politics is all about personalities and not policies these days?
If you read the article about Ben Houchen that Growstuff posted a link to, you’ll see that in his case it’s not about personality at all but about the fact that he has made things happen & brought about positive change for Teesside.

I think too that Andy Burnham is far from being just a ‘personality’.

That’s part of what I mean about the role being so interesting and innovative .

But the point is that as far as policies go these two men are at opposite ends of the spectrum. So what is the common factor? It has to be personality because it's certainly not politics.

A fair question and I’m hesitant to answer because I don’t have a mayor but is it that they are doing their jobs well and a significant number believe that and want them to continue?

You could say that suziebut then the obvious question is what does that mean which means you have to look at what each has done. And they are so different. So perhaps the conclusion has to be it doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something.Which pretty much means party politics doesn't matter.

Trisher So what is the common factor? It has to be personality because it's certainly not politics

I don’t think personality in the context of politics = ability to manage strategically or get things done at a local level, which is what Ben Houchen and Andy Burnham have in common.

It’s much more about appealing to people at a superficial level through TV appearances, soundbites, cultivated quirkiness or behaving flamboyantly.

So I think both personality and ability to function effectively as a mayor are independent of party politics and it’s a good thing if the electorate recognise that.

Some people have the skills to operate in a national setting and some in a regional setting. Andy obviously works well in G.Manchester. Whether his skills would translate into the larger arena is debatable.
I did have a laugh at the Tory calling Keir dull and boring. Has he never met Gavin Williamson?