So it begins….. Streeting resigns

Oreo, remember the press on the whole have been against this government from day 1.
I think Burnham will not have it cut and dried. I have just seen in Labour List, where you can see which MPs are for and which against Starmer that 93 are against. That means that there are are good amount for and some who are just getting on with the job they are paid for.

Cossy

Rosie51

The arrogance of being so sure the people in that constituency can be 'used' to elect Burnham is astounding. Yes it's the safest Labour seat so he probably will be elected but if I lived there I'd definitely bristle at the assumption my vote was a given.

Nothing in politics is a given, and, despite being a Labour supporter (hanging on with my grim teeth!), I’d laugh my blooming head off if Andy Burnham lost.

The egos of our MPs on all sides of the political spectrum is utterly astounding!

I would, too.

I went all through the Tory replacement years, and that was down to infighting, a talent thought to be exclusively Conservative. Boris was chosen to deal with Brexit because he was good at winning things, then expected to step down and hand over to Sunak, only nobody told him. Covid messed things up, then the back stabbing started in earnest; he resigned with much help from Labour, then the shortlist was presented but only to MPs; exasperated party members were only allowed to choose between two, Sunak and Truss. Not doing as they were told, they chose Truss. Another PM shambles; when he bottled out he left the field wide open.

The Labour shambles seems different; it is the members and the labour electorate who are dissatisfied/ actively dislike Starmer, not the grandees. Much more grassroots dissension.

No idea how it will play out, but you are foolish if you believe it is all down to the nasty press. Much deeper than that, plus there are other parties to play with.

In order to stand does Burnham not need endorsement from the NEC? Can he be sure of that? How long might that take? They have already blocked this once on the grounds that it would be selling Manchester short.

In any event the process of organising a by-election would be slow and someone else could well be in Number 10 by then.

I think if I were a voter in Makerfield I would feel used and abused.
I think if I were a resident of Manchester I would feel let down.
I think if I were a resident of Makerfield I would be very annoyed that my previous vote could be cast aside so lightly in a political sliding block puzzle.

Even if all these machinations work and Burnham finishes up as PM, he will be lauded and cheered for a while then before you can blink more knives will be out. How could he form a cabinet from people who have been shafted by him?

I do not like all this chicanery.

I have just looked further and it says those supporting are 160
those unknown 149 and those against 96 (sorry I put 93 earlier )
This was at 3:30 p.m.
Why do we only hear about those against ?
Looks as if Burnham would have a real fight on his hands as the councils in /around Makerfield are now mostly reform and Farage will throw everything he can , perhaps even his £5 million , for success. Would you risk it ?

What happens if Burnham isn’t successful in Makerfield? Does someone else give up their seat? How many goes will he have? Then of course there’s no guarantee that Burnham will be PM.

eazybee

I went all through the Tory replacement years, and that was down to infighting, a talent thought to be exclusively Conservative. Boris was chosen to deal with Brexit because he was good at winning things, then expected to step down and hand over to Sunak, only nobody told him. Covid messed things up, then the back stabbing started in earnest; he resigned with much help from Labour, then the shortlist was presented but only to MPs; exasperated party members were only allowed to choose between two, Sunak and Truss. Not doing as they were told, they chose Truss. Another PM shambles; when he bottled out he left the field wide open.

The Labour shambles seems different; it is the members and the labour electorate who are dissatisfied/ actively dislike Starmer, not the grandees. Much more grassroots dissension.

No idea how it will play out, but you are foolish if you believe it is all down to the nasty press. Much deeper than that, plus there are other parties to play with.

Wasn’t it Gove that prevented Johnson from becoming PM after the referendum? That time when Johnson announced that he wasn’t going to stand and surprised everybody?

Well I may be a LP member but it's beyond my understanding atm. For goodness sake, we are in the middle of a war, can't all wait a bit? We've a "do" tomorrow for our constituency, maybe I'll emerge the wiser.

For a new UK, with never previously known threats from the far right.... before... well maybe since Moseley....... knee jerk reactions are foolish.... we dont want a Trump style leader here...takes good strategies.

BTW I do however believe the press played a part in a way I've never known quite as bitter and vicious.

I would like a change in due course, but to rush into it..beyond me.

Well Brexit happened at a time when the EU were cracking down on offshore tax dodging. And all this is happening when the government is clamping down on outside financial interference in elections. My daughter mentioned Musk. My thought was it was Farages bitcoin paymaster. And then Putin interferes in things too. China?

None of those. Just the Labour party.

Romola

As for the feeding frenzy currently enjoyed by print and broadcast media, I want nothing to do with it.
I switched from The World at One to J S Bach's triple concerto for flute, violin and harpsichord on Radio 3. What a relief.
Like others on here, I hope Keir Starmer toughs it out.

... I also turn to music when I get sick of the political circus - the frustration is mainly because I darned well know what's coming... the endless media frenzy; commentators, well... commenting, the inevitable 'in-depth' analysis from this or that newspaper journalist... on and on the merry-go-round.

And it makes no difference.

I am of the opinion that no government has the power to change much, it's an illusion. All they can do really is tinker around the edges because true power lies with corporations, the media and the billionaire class.

I listen to Beethoven's Triple Concerto, though I do appreciate Bach, especially his Partitas.

I’ve just watched season two of The Last of Us. Going to watch episode three of Half Man tonight. I’m afraid that my escapism only encompasses things that are even more depressing than current events. At some point I hope to move on to Amandaland or Only Child but I’m not ready for anything that might involve laughing.

Yup me too. I listen a lot now to Radio3 unwind, as well as R3 ....rather into Baroque music big time atm and expressive gentle classics and choral music (R3 Unwind has also a gentle deliberate relaxing ambiance).

Also I have a U tube subscription and I spent all yesterday evening once I'd watched the 6pm news..

....letting it run through favourites (But remembers what you like, then chooses.

psst.

I realise this is completely and utterly off thread but I wish gransnet would take us into the world of classical music more

Luckygirl3 said:

"I think if I were a resident of Manchester I would feel let down."
I am, and I do.

Cardamom

Labour have turned out to be as self serving, tawdry and back stabbing as the Tories ever were. More interested in securing their own careers than what's best for the country. After living through 14 years of the lies, sniping and in-party politics from the Tories, I'd really hoped that Labour would be different; really meant it when they spoke about being a mission-driven government and pledged to clean up politics by ensuring the "highest standards of integrity and honesty" and strengthening ethics in public life. It was all lies; they're no bloody different.

I’m sad to say I agree

Rosie51

I'd be right there with you Cossy. Isn't that just the saddest part, we had years of the Conservatives tearing themselves apart to the point of destruction, and in less than 2 years Labour are following suit. Will they never learn?

It’s seems not!

Cld I gently suggest that those who can’t stand the heat leave this kitchen for a bit instead of disrupting the thread with their alternative activities?

>>> I have a genuine question. Commentators seem to imply that the Makerfield by-election and hopes for Burnham put Streeting out of the picture. Could he not call on his 81 supporters and accelerate the process at any point?

MayBee70

I’ve just watched season two of The Last of Us. Going to watch episode three of Half Man tonight. I’m afraid that my escapism only encompasses things that are even more depressing than current events. At some point I hope to move on to Amandaland or Only Child but I’m not ready for anything that might involve laughing.

Just watching the programme about fly tipping if you want misery ..... and to 🤬

Don't watch Amandaland if you don't feel like laughing 😂

winterwhite

Cld I gently suggest that those who can’t stand the heat leave this kitchen for a bit instead of disrupting the thread with their alternative activities?

>>> I have a genuine question. Commentators seem to imply that the Makerfield by-election and hopes for Burnham put Streeting out of the picture. Could he not call on his 81 supporters and accelerate the process at any point?

Has Streeting actually put himself out there and called a leadership contest (or whatever the process is) Sorry been in the car driving for last 1.5 hours and wondering if I’ve missed a big announcement?

I just wonder - what next?
Whoever succeeds Starmer will face the same uphill battle, and when he/she can’t deliver as soon as the electorate demand it, will there be another leadership battle?
And when another party win at the next election, inheriting the same poisoned chalice, will that leader face the same skullduggery.
It feels as if we are standing on shifting sands. There is no consistency, and am not sure what is to blame, the media, interfering outside agencies trying to manipulate our politics, or electorate fatigue, but is a malaise that is damaging this country beyond repair imho.

Oooh I’ve just read that Starmer not not try and block Burnham’s bid to become an MP.

I hope Burnham will be satisfied when 1) he fails to take the seat and 2) A reform Mayor is appointed in Manchester 😱😱😱🙈🙈🙈

Cossy

Oooh I’ve just read that Starmer not not try and block Burnham’s bid to become an MP.

I hope Burnham will be satisfied when 1) he fails to take the seat and 2) A reform Mayor is appointed in Manchester 😱😱😱🙈🙈🙈

Yep it could very well be as you say. Nothing in politics can be assured. They are gambling with the electorate.

fallingstar I cannot use the words I really want to, but it really is a blinking flipping nightmare of a blooming mess!

MayBee70

I’ve just watched season two of The Last of Us. Going to watch episode three of Half Man tonight. I’m afraid that my escapism only encompasses things that are even more depressing than current events. At some point I hope to move on to Amandaland or Only Child but I’m not ready for anything that might involve laughing.

I am going to binge the second season of Rivals which starts tomorrow.

Not highbrow, but I don’t care…

Well, we certainly didn't expect this nearly two years ago when we were glad to see the back of the Tories, were we!

Be careful what you wish for.