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Andy Burnham has plan to return to Westminster ‘within weeks’. Allies sayGreater Manchester mayor said to have identified seats where MPs would step aside to allow leadership bid.

(735 Posts)
LemonJam Sat 02-May-26 10:38:43

The Greater Manchester mayor expected to use a by-election fight to set out a new agenda for government. In a sign that his campaign is more progressed than previously thought and Burnham’s team is understood to have lined up an “impressive” candidate to replace him as Greater Manchester mayor.

Allies said he planned to outline a “radical rewiring” of the state in the coming weeks – including sweeping changes to the electoral system and a 10-year growth plan – after a potentially devastating set of elections on 7 May that could end Keir Starmer’s premiership.

After a fortnight that left Starmer fighting for his political future over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, the number of MPs backing Burnham is understood to have grown to far more than the 80 required to challenge the prime minister. However, his supporters said they hoped to avoid a formal leadership challenge and to engineer a process where Starmer would set out a timetable to stand down soon after next week’s votes for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and councils across England.

MPs have discussed the possibility of Burnham offering Starmer the chance to stay on as foreign secretary and continue work on the Iran war and Ukraine. Ed Miliband and Angela Rayner, another leadership rival, are expected to be offered top jobs in a Burnham government.

MaizieD Sat 09-May-26 16:34:15

GrannyGravy13

Galaxy

If you are unable to define women it is quite difficult to tackle womens issues I would have thought.
But bless them I am sure it will go well.

HH and her then husband were part of what is now called Liberty

Very strange views on women, and ^age of consent^

That was a very long time ago, GG13 and it seems she expressed regret for it.

She and her husband worked for Liberty, which did not express the views you don't name. That was an affiliated group.

Liberty has since become the National Council for Civil Liberties. Is it constantly being reminded about affiliating this group?

MaizieD Sat 09-May-26 16:34:52

Forgot the 12 year old link

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/25/harriet-harman-regrets-employer-link-paedophile-lobbyists

Galaxy Sat 09-May-26 16:42:50

Yes I am sure in a few years time she will also be regretting her stance on women's spaces, it shows a similar failing actually, lack of bravery ( and I don't criticise her too much on that, political bravery is extraordinarily rare) and a failure to look beyond be kind and think critically.

LemonJam Sat 09-May-26 16:46:01

Both Harman and Brown have been brought in as advisors on 2 portfolios. But Starmer needs some big ideas that will capture the public imagination - fast.

Harmon and Brown provide a symbolic message but little more really in the current situation. We can deflect with personal adverse opinions on B and H’s past misdemeanours but they are not the future neither do they provide the solution.

MayBee70 Sat 09-May-26 17:50:42

So Catherine West has now called for the PM to stand down. Does she not realise that Farage will claim this as a victory given that his council election campaign called for Starmer to go and is now controlling the narrative. Playing into his hands…

Luckygirl3 Sat 09-May-26 18:15:11

... but simply too thick to work that out ....

MaizieD Sat 09-May-26 18:41:08

LemonJam

Both Harman and Brown have been brought in as advisors on 2 portfolios. But Starmer needs some big ideas that will capture the public imagination - fast.

Harmon and Brown provide a symbolic message but little more really in the current situation. We can deflect with personal adverse opinions on B and H’s past misdemeanours but they are not the future neither do they provide the solution.

I can't see that either of those portfolios is going to enthuse anyone.

LemonJam Sat 09-May-26 19:20:23

MaizieD- I agree.

Casdon Sat 09-May-26 19:29:45

I don’t, but it’s fine to disagree about these things. I’ve got a lot of time for both of them, and I think they have good political instincts which are needed.

Anniebach Sat 09-May-26 20:34:44

Quote LemonJam Sat 09-May-26 16:46:01
Both Harman and Brown have been brought in as advisors on 2 portfolios. But Starmer needs some big ideas that will capture the public imagination - fast.

Harmon and Brown provide a symbolic message but little more really in the current situation. We can deflect with personal adverse opinions on B and H’s past misdemeanours but they are not the future neither do they provide the solution.

Brown and Harman are both 75 years old, they are too of the past for you ?

LemonJam Sat 09-May-26 20:51:09

1) Are those 2 portfolios the big ideas that will successfully resonate as turnaround priorities with the public and Starmer’s detractors?
2) will B and H be able to deliver within a necessary timescale sufficient to strengthen Starmer against potential leadership challengers?

I suspect not….

Galaxy Sat 09-May-26 20:51:11

I like one of them and think the other is deeply unpleasant. However none of that matters, their age is irrelevant, it isn't going to work.

Casdon Sat 09-May-26 21:32:22

Well one thing is sure, we will see. I don’t share the apocalyptic view of the future.

Allira Sat 09-May-26 22:20:03

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

Galaxy

If you are unable to define women it is quite difficult to tackle womens issues I would have thought.
But bless them I am sure it will go well.

HH and her then husband were part of what is now called Liberty

Very strange views on women, and ^age of consent^

That was a very long time ago, GG13 and it seems she expressed regret for it.

She and her husband worked for Liberty, which did not express the views you don't name. That was an affiliated group.

Liberty has since become the National Council for Civil Liberties. Is it constantly being reminded about affiliating this group?

The problem is that the public, and more importantly, the media do not forget.

I'd be sorry to see Starmer go but he has made mistakes in domestic politics, although has proved himself in international politics recently.
However, voters may be more concerned about what affects them directly than conflicts elsewhere.

MaizieD Sat 09-May-26 22:52:07

The problem is that the public, and more importantly, the media do not forget.

Really 😮?

It would help if they remembered accurately instead of half the story...

Allira Sat 09-May-26 22:57:17

😁

Well, that's another story.
But if there have been misdemeanors the media will not forget and will remind the public.

Wyllow3 Sat 09-May-26 23:00:00

Allira

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

Galaxy

If you are unable to define women it is quite difficult to tackle womens issues I would have thought.
But bless them I am sure it will go well.

HH and her then husband were part of what is now called Liberty

Very strange views on women, and ^age of consent^

That was a very long time ago, GG13 and it seems she expressed regret for it.

She and her husband worked for Liberty, which did not express the views you don't name. That was an affiliated group.

Liberty has since become the National Council for Civil Liberties. Is it constantly being reminded about affiliating this group?

The problem is that the public, and more importantly, the media do not forget.

I'd be sorry to see Starmer go but he has made mistakes in domestic politics, although has proved himself in international politics recently.
However, voters may be more concerned about what affects them directly than conflicts elsewhere.

Over all: I worked for the then NCCL in 1976 with Harriet Harman: I was on a year's project

and it was the NCCL then and is NOW called Liberty, since 1989

There were loads of weird ideas floating round at that time and people are well beyond the wild '70's years!

Harman has long since established herself as fairly middle of the road.

We were both the same age and

I think one is allowed to change ideas after nearly 50 years somewhat?

Allira Sat 09-May-26 23:04:49

Yes, of course, Wyllow.

However, the media is like an elephant - never forgets and the public is influenced by the media, like it or not.

Galaxy Sun 10-May-26 08:48:49

And her TWAW stuff is exactly the same so she she hasn't grown and developed has she. She has shown an inability to assess ideas and reject them as either dangerous, insane or both.

Galaxy Sun 10-May-26 08:55:02

And there were a number of people at the time who were secure enough in their beliefs to challenge Pie.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 10-May-26 09:00:45

Unfortunately being in the public eye , whether that eye is politics, entertainment or industry means that any act, decision or idea past or present will never be forgotten.

Now with the internet and social media platforms there is no place to hide.

MaizieD Sun 10-May-26 09:07:14

Galaxy

And there were a number of people at the time who were secure enough in their beliefs to challenge Pie.

It's Liberty which needs the opprobrium, it was they who affiliated PIE, not Harman.

LemonJam Sun 10-May-26 09:08:53

Allira

😁

Well, that's another story.
But if there have been misdemeanors the media will not forget and will remind the public.

Farage has had many, many misdemeanors reported by the press; many, many more than Harman and some of a very concerning nature. The media is not focussing on any misdemeanours of Harmon way back in the 1970s this weekend.

Galaxy Sun 10-May-26 09:12:10

Either issues years ago are relevant or they are not, it can't be different for each individual.

Casdon Sun 10-May-26 09:30:24

What people consider important is different for each individual. A deal breaker for one of us, when we look at a politician in the round, has no impact at all on the view of that politician of somebody else.