So it begins….. Streeting resigns

Male virility? Count me out.

I don't think laughing is a bad response, the alternative is to put your head in your hands in despair.

First he was running then because (I suspect) he couldn’t get the numbers - he wasn’t running but supporting Burnham. At the moment he is running again

Now I have a vision of Streeting running in shorts - what is it with these politicians? 😲

Sorry Whitewave, I do know what you meant, not trying to derail a serious post, honestly.
Ignore me.

Galaxy

So now you have made me google andy burnham shorts.

😁

MaizieD

Whitewavemark2

Streeting has formally recognised that Brexit was a disaster.

I think he’s trying to throw a spanner in Burnham’s works. He has said that he will campaign for him in Makerfield. I understand that it is in a high Brexit voting area. So, Burnham campaigner is now known to want to overturn the Brexit vote (or ‘ignore/destroy democracy’ as many put it). So probably Burnham does too? ‘No way are we voting for that!’

Burnham loses to Reform. Sneaky Streeting has removed a rival…

Feasible?

Streeting has been all over the place.

First he was running then because (I suspect) he couldn’t get the numbers - he wasn’t running but supporting Burnham. At the moment he is running again and presumably laying out his table.

It is feasible re- the by-election, but honestly I just think that they are chaotic.

It is certainly a massive risk on Burnham’s part, but did you read in the Observer, that is he wins the election he will be a shoe-in by the end of the summer and before the party conference, simply because he will have shown that he can see off Farage.

But what about the country! What about policies?

It is so sad to witness this. I know that Starmer is very unpopular with the media which of course feeds through to the voter, but I read that we had something like 5PMs between 1950-1998 and we have had something like 6 in the past decade.

Sheer madness - looking for perfection which is never going to happen. It seems so immature and frankly bloody tragic.

So now you have made me google andy burnham shorts.

Anniebach

Quote ronib Sun 17-May-26 09:53:11
What’s wrong with Andy Burnham in running shorts? Hairy legs?? Anniebach

Doesn’t help me choose a Labour Party leader

I bet he looks better in shorts than Boris did.

Oh dear, if a man said that .....
But I'm very old so am I allowed?

Oh! Just seen a photo! They are rather short 😲

MaizieD

Whitewavemark2

Streeting has formally recognised that Brexit was a disaster.

I think he’s trying to throw a spanner in Burnham’s works. He has said that he will campaign for him in Makerfield. I understand that it is in a high Brexit voting area. So, Burnham campaigner is now known to want to overturn the Brexit vote (or ‘ignore/destroy democracy’ as many put it). So probably Burnham does too? ‘No way are we voting for that!’

Burnham loses to Reform. Sneaky Streeting has removed a rival…

Feasible?

Yes, that’s exactly what Streeting has done 😂

Quote ronib Sun 17-May-26 09:53:11
What’s wrong with Andy Burnham in running shorts? Hairy legs?? Anniebach

Doesn’t help me choose a Labour Party leader

MaizieD

nanna8

Dreaded by me and dreaded by a lot over here. Why the big swing in the local elections ? Obviously dreaded by many. But, and a big but, would others challenging him be any better? Remains to be seen .

I don’t see that Australians have any business to ‘dread’ Starmer. He’s our PM, not yours.

Take an interest in UK politics by all means, but don’t act surprised and offended when people take issue with your opinions.

I don’t see that Australians have any business to ‘dread’ Starmer. He’s our PM, not yours.

I suppose with world events in the turmoil they are at the moment, the actions of leaders worldwide could impinge on others, Starmer included. He seems to be doing the right thing as far as international affairs are concerned.
Trump visiting China and being more or less asked to offer up Taiwan as a bargaining tool would be more worrying in Australia, I would have thought.

nanna8

Dreaded by me and dreaded by a lot over here. Why the big swing in the local elections ? Obviously dreaded by many. But, and a big but, would others challenging him be any better? Remains to be seen .

I wonder if it's your media in Australia giving him a hard time? If so, I wonder why?
Perhaps I'll ask.

Anniebach

I have no wish to see Burnham in his running shorts again

Has he got to wear jogging bottoms when he runs?
🏃‍♂️🚶‍♂️
That might slow him up, Anniebach 😁

What’s wrong with Andy Burnham in running shorts? Hairy legs?? Anniebach

I have no wish to see Burnham in his running shorts again

Interestingly, Burnham is now top of the pops in the YouGov Politician popularity poll, considerably above all the current party leaders.

Burnham, like most has got better at campaigning over the years. He has campaigned successfully over the past 10 years, three times for GM Mayor role- so campaigned well. He ran a highly visibly, celebrated campaign on behalf of families affected by the Hillsborough tragedy. He's considered to be an effective and popular campaigner with cross party appeal.

He will need to keep Streeting in check- and make sure the Makerfield residents know that Streeting's views about the future of the Labour Party may not 100% match with his own. That is Burnham needs to be clear in his own vision and messages.

The fundamental question is winning back trust for the Labour Party going forward- any leadership contest between Streeting and Burnham (+ any other contenders) comes later.

I can’t see Streeting getting the support to be a serious contender.

Burnham’s plans first the future just sound like what Labour are doing anyway. I’d like to know where the money is coming from for him to re nationalise water. Especially given that all this disruption is messing up the economy which seemed to be improving. I suppose that it will take a nose dive but will improve when he takes over the party so he can say it’s down to him but actually due to a bit of political stability being restored.

All these wretched machinations when all we want is sound government

Burnham is not a particularly good campaigner.

Perhaps Burnham's first test will be to see if he can keep Streeting under control while canvassing

In the event of Starmer resigning, Burnham and Streeting won’t be the only candidates in the ring. So there may be more road kill yet.

I am another one who thinks that Wes Streeting has thrown Andy Burnham under the bus

I don't want Streeting to become PM but whoever gets in will be hounded by the media until they find something to discredit them.

I agree Maizie, I assume that is a plan to ensure Burnham loses.