So it begins….. Streeting resigns

Despite all his ‘best efforts’ Burnham, after almost 10 years as mayor, hasn’t managed to overcome these issues.

It's really not surprising as the source of these issues is how the national economy works. Unless the direction of the national economy is changed stark inequality will always exist.

Whether or not Burnham is the man to re-embrace a more Keynesian approach to employment, state investment and wealth regulation remains to be seen. I have my doubts, even though I think he's likely to be the best alternative to Starmer should he clear the hurdles...

There is a huge risk that Reform will win the seat in any case. And then what?

If Andy Burnham becomes the next PM, I hope he does something to resolve the North - South divide and the wealth inequality between the two regions.

Perhaps make Manchester a rival city to London and link Manchester to the northern cities with good and affordable transport links. So that the wealth from Manchester can spread to the Northern cities and towns, the way the immense wealth of London spreads to the South East and home counties.

That is the reason why so many in the North living in deprived areas vote for Reform. They were hoping under Labour, their lives will get better, instead there is no change, in fact their lives are getting much worse because of the rising cost of living.

Instead of listening to their concerns, Keir Starmer call them racists and tell everyone his Chancellor Rachel Reeves is doing a very good job.

Cossy

fancythat

Is that a joke, or did it really?

No it didn’t, my understanding is it came from various central government grants, which have to be applied for, he was a great Mayor but the 3mil he served now have to elect a new mayor and I wonder who’ll have their eye on this!

He may find out it was better to be a big fish in a small pond than to be left floundering on the edges of the pond.

The timing of all of this is terrible.

Whitewavemark2

There is a huge risk that Reform will win the seat in any case. And then what?

This is what worries me. I think the "sod it" factor will take over with the electorate who will just say "don't use us as pawns in your power games" and vote Reform.

What a cussed mess this all is.

Indeed, people don't generally like being used in a political game.

This is what worries me. I think the "sod it" factor will take over with the electorate who will just say "don't use us as pawns in your power games" and vote Reform

And who could blame them?

petra

sixandahalf

Perhaps KS actually believes it is better if he stays put? Belligerent, I'm not sure.

What a mess. the rest of the the world must think we are daft.

I would imagine the rest of the world have far more important issues to worry about, the price of oil, fertiliser, medicine etc etc etc, all stuck in the strait of Hormuz.

Yes, I'm entirely sure you are absolutely correct.

Somehow Farage popped up on my FB feed today. Why? He was complaining about a Guardian journalist outside his house and saying this is why he needs a protection officer.
He courts publicity then complains when he gets some.

Be careful, posters, he's getting in everywhere. Is it because I sometimes look at the Guardian online?

LizzieDrip

^This is what worries me. I think the "sod it" factor will take over with the electorate who will just say "don't use us as pawns in your power games" and vote Reform^

And who could blame them?

Oh I would not blame them at all. They are being taken for a ride.

Luckygirl3

LizzieDrip

This is what worries me. I think the "sod it" factor will take over with the electorate who will just say "don't use us as pawns in your power games" and vote Reform

And who could blame them?

Oh I would not blame them at all. They are being taken for a ride.

They are being used.
No-one likes that.

SporeRB01

If Andy Burnham becomes the next PM, I hope he does something to resolve the North - South divide and the wealth inequality between the two regions.

Perhaps make Manchester a rival city to London and link Manchester to the northern cities with good and affordable transport links. So that the wealth from Manchester can spread to the Northern cities and towns, the way the immense wealth of London spreads to the South East and home counties.

That is the reason why so many in the North living in deprived areas vote for Reform. They were hoping under Labour, their lives will get better, instead there is no change, in fact their lives are getting much worse because of the rising cost of living.

Instead of listening to their concerns, Keir Starmer call them racists and tell everyone his Chancellor Rachel Reeves is doing a very good job.

Yes. Johnson was going to 'level up' the North (and you're right that it extends beyond Manchester) but did nothing, despite saying he was aware that Northerners' votes had been 'loaned' to the Tories. Nothing has really happened since then to make a difference. I think too much has hinged on the idea that northerners will always vote Labour, so the Tories ignore them and Labour is complacent. Now that Reform has found a way (however dishonestly) to make a lot of the disaffected feel 'heard', perhaps they will be.

The trouble is that to begin to make things fair, investment will have to come out of London and the South, so it may end up with just a redistribution of geographical support rather than a redistribution of numbers.

From what I am reading at this point of time, it seems that when the voting comes to the Labour Party membership, Angela Rayner is a shoe-in.

Make of that what you will.

Allira

Somehow Farage popped up on my FB feed today. Why? He was complaining about a Guardian journalist outside his house and saying this is why he needs a protection officer.
He courts publicity then complains when he gets some.

Be careful, posters, he's getting in everywhere. Is it because I sometimes look at the Guardian online?

What can or should he do though, in reality?

I’m willing to be proved wrong about Burnham, if course.

If he does achieve his ambition to become PM, and in 2 years time we’re all living in sunny uplands, I’ll hold up my hands.

We’ll see!

LizzieDrip

I agree that the issues facing Burnham’s Manchester mirror those facing the entire country; just one example … inequality:

“The city is highly unequal, with extreme disparities between its most and least deprived areas, frequently described as a divide between "have-nots" and "haves".

Despite all his ‘best efforts’ Burnham, after almost 10 years as mayor, hasn’t managed to overcome these issues.

So why is the Labour Party tearing itself (and potentially the country) apart to clear a path for him to Number 10?

Crikey- I don’t know that any city Mayor or PM for that matter has ever “managed to overcome these issues”!

Fairer to look at Burnham’s performance in the round than disparage him for not walking on water. He wouldn’t have won three successive mayoral elections if the majority of the voters living in GM judged his efforts as failures.

Whitewavemark2

From what I am reading at this point of time, it seems that when the voting comes to the Labour Party membership, Angela Rayner is a shoe-in.

Make of that what you will.

I think she may be WW.

However, if Burnham wins the by-election, then stands against Starmer, I don’t think Rayner will stand against Burnham. So her name wouldn’t be put to the membership.

She’ll want to be ‘on Burnham’s side’ when/if he becomes PM, so she’ll get a top job.

I think this is why she’s keeping her powder dry and not declaring at the moment. She’s waiting for the outcome of the by-election.

Bluddy politics, eh!

Meanwhile … who’s running the country while they’re all conniving in dark corners in the HoC tea room🙈

How close is this country to having the IMF take over? Gilts are at an all time high?

ronib

How close is this country to having the IMF take over? Gilts are at an all time high?

They are higher than under Liz Truss’s leadership I believe, which is quite an achievement…

Regardless of who takes over from him when he goes, will Sir Keir take the Attorney General Lord Hermer with him? It has always seemed to me that these two are not just close friends, but practically joined at the hip. Does the Attorney General have to stay in place, or could there be a reshuffle in that department lurking on the horizon as well?

ronib

How close is this country to having the IMF take over? Gilts are at an all time high?

And why is that … it’s because the markets hate instability, uncertainty and chaos!

Well done the panicking newby Labour MPs, Streeting, Burnham et al for inflicting all the above conditions on the country!

If and when Reform win that seat I suppose it will all go round and round again. A lot will not want any of them and they will not vote for Burnham just because they don’t want to be manipulated. But of course these politicians can’t read the room, can they ? So full of themselves.

I think it’s all speculation regarding the seat. The sitting MP hasn’t actually handed in his resignation to prompt a by election. If Burnham gambles his own future on an unsafe seat, he is a fool.

If there is a new Prime Minister he/she would doubtless have a reshuffle and could remove Hermer. Then there could be an Attorney General who is a sitting MP, be present in the Commons and actually make speeches, take parts in debates and most important, answers questions.
Starmer, who seems unable to function without an 'advisor', relies heavily on Mandelson and Hermer, and I am quite sure Mandelson is on the end of a burner phone somewhere still telling him what to do.
I gather Starmer is still refusing to answer any questions from the Press.
Big mistake.

nanna8

If and when Reform win that seat I suppose it will all go round and round again. A lot will not want any of them and they will not vote for Burnham just because they don’t want to be manipulated. But of course these politicians can’t read the room, can they ? So full of themselves.

Don’t often agree with you nanna8 (although like to disagree agreeably😉) but I’m with you on this.

The people in this country most gagging for a leadership election are the media (it’s click bait for them) and some MPs - the usual suspects and/or the new recruits!

Interestingly, on last night’s Question Time, Fiona Bruce did a straw poll asking ‘hands up if you want Keir Starmer to go’. Fewer than half put their hands up. I know it’s not a reliable representation, but it may give some indication of the public mood.

I think many British citizens don’t want all this chaos … and many politicians can’t read the room.