So it begins….. Streeting resigns

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.

None of those. Just the Labour party.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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 ?

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 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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

Was ever thus. The plotting, scheming, cosying up and backstabbing in the corridors of power. Nothing changes and it’s the country that suffers.

MayBee70

It reminds me of all the football teams that sack their managers because they’ve lost a few games, have to pay him off with millions, use a caretaker manager for a while then take on a new manager who does no better and they’re back where they started. The old manager then accepts a new lucrative contract with another club and the whole process begins again. All because everyone is trying to find the next Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger but don’t realise that they only come along once in a blue moon.

👏👏👏👏👏

ferry23

I think we should form the Gransnet Party - we'd have the country ship shape and in Bristol fashion before you could say Boris Johnson

Yay! Let’s go!!

They need to reflect on last week's local results, when this country clearly did not vote for Left Wing politics.
The names in the frame are all totally unsuitable, surely there is someone in this "Big Labour majority" suitable to replace Starmer?
They bang on about 14 years of Tory Government, for goodness sake.
Without doubt a one term Government.

Galaxy

Will he win though? That doesn't look like a big enough majority to me, considering the results of the by elections.

Thats what I was thinking especially if the electorate are fed up of this whole debacle and all vote Reform

GrannyGravy13

Of Labours communications and public relations teams had been better we wouldn’t be where we are now.

Which is up the creek without the proverbial paddle.

I am getting increasingly concerned that these idiots are tantamount to handing the keys of No.10 to either Farage or Polanski.

In either case we as a country are completely screwed!!!!

I agree ☹️☹️😢😢

Will he win though? That doesn't look like a big enough majority to me, considering the results of the by elections.

It is blatant skullduggery and nobody is going to come out of this looking good.

It reminds me of all the football teams that sack their managers because they’ve lost a few games, have to pay him off with millions, use a caretaker manager for a while then take on a new manager who does no better and they’re back where they started. The old manager then accepts a new lucrative contract with another club and the whole process begins again. All because everyone is trying to find the next Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger but don’t realise that they only come along once in a blue moon.

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.

I also wonder how Mancunians are feeling seeing as Burnham is kicking them to the kerb in order to further his career.

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.

westendgirl

I heard someone being interviewed about the present situation . His comment was that they should all grow up. Mine too
I am sick to to death of the lack of loyalty,the inability to pull together and the sky is falling attitude.~That includes Streeting, Burnham, Rayner and all the media hacks frothing at the mouth at the thought of a story.GROW UP the lot of you.
I actually have wondered who is behind this stirring, this attempt to produce devisiveness, because , believe me there is someone somewhere who is orchestrating the whole thing, aided and abetted by s.m.

My thoughts entirely. Who is set to gain from all this. Because it isn’t the electorate or this country. Reminds me of all the orchestrated pre referendum stuff.