Makerfield. I wonder how it’s going!

I hope Burnham wins. The Reform candidate comes across as thick as two short planks. I wouldn't want him as my MP, whatever party he stood for.

I'm probably putting my head above the parapet here but I like Keir Starmer, he reminds me of Gordon Brown. Both sincere, socially minded public servant types with some good ideas who go into politics for all the right reasons but are/were not able to connect with the public for some reason. We need decent people in public life but the media demands "personalities" and therefore we get self serving egomaniacs like Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Farage etc popping up, causing endless noise and deceiving people into thinking they have the answers to all our problems.

I think Farage is also enraged by the vote share predicted for Restore. The rise of Restore weakens his USP.

Que sera sera.

I think Farage is desperate for Reform to win Makerfield in reality, but he’s putting a brave face on the possibility of losing, It would be a very big head if Burnham fell, and Reform’s best chance of forcing an earlier general election. They will be a spent force by the general election if they keep losing headline by elections like this one.

I agree LemonJam, I think Farage wants the glory and power of being in charge, but shows no interest in the essential day to day graft.

Yes Wyllow. Labour needs a much better coms team, to counter the slanted info churned out on MSM.

Of the hours in Farage's working week he puts very little into his role as an MP- the majority of his time is spent making money and building contacts with benefactors in order to make the most money he can over the next three years until the next GE.

I doubt he really wants to be PM or whether he has the energy, focus and will to serve the public and the country- unless of course it's Trump style- and look how thats panned out....

Farage bid his time?
Does that explain why he is putting in so few hours as a British elected politician?
😉

I agree with your thoughts Spinnaker
Although I would like Reform to win, on balance I think it would be better for Farage to bide his time until the GE.

If there is a change of leadership I can’t see any of the potential Labour candidates (even the sainted Burnham) being popular with the general public.

Actually I am more scared of the possible rise of the insanity which is the current Green Party.
They have got some seriously worrying policies, having moved so far from the ‘tree hugging, save the planet’ philosophy of old.

Its a shame that the No. 10 doesn't have a decent communications team in the style of Alistair Campbell. Yes, yes, I know, but he did publicise what Labour were doing. This Labour government have done a lot of good things, but we don't really know about them. Starmer is also rather too meek. An ideal scenario, in my opinion, would be for Burnham to be PM with Starmer as Foreign Secretary. He gets on with most of the world's leaders [excepting trump of course, but then who does he get on with?]. All will be revealed.

Burnham already has a lot of Trade Union, MP and LP member support- and high favourable ratings with the public which Starmer now lacks on all fronts. Some Trade Unions had been discussing withdrawing LP affiliation - but once Burnham indicated he was going to stand in Makerfield took a rain check.

I would bet money that Burnham would beat Starmer hands down in a leadership contest. Thats not to say there will not be other contenders but none as tried and tested as Burnham with the level of support outlined.

Be interested in seeing how big the turn out will be?

I expect Burnham will win, but replacing Starmer? He tried before and didn't get anywhere. If there is a contest John Healey should throw his hat into the ring.

Wyllow3 I agree with your post.

So many posters have said they would vote for Reform because they want "change". Saying any change could not be worse than current government.

Burnham has a long track record of experience, some notable successes and the highest popularity ratings the any other Labour person in office. Personally I don't think he could do any worse than Starmer to date. It will be "change' for the next three years of this government till the next GE.

As an insider, what has been the problem are Starmers back up team behind the scenes at the onset, and he didn’t use his power to chose the right people
He is statesmanlike on the international scene, imo he lacks the ability to connect and communicate tho I think he is a lovely family man and that counts a lot to me of the very personal.
I agree that we need a new chancellor. But I don’t see where the apparently damming words on Burnham come from. I recall, FGT, your real praise of him as your mayor not so long ago.

Sigh. He’s not devious. It’s politics, for goodness sake

it’s how things go. Sometimes a challenge like this which is coming from a large group who favour a different slant on politics and a different style means that the incumbent survives but changes approach.

Fallingstar

MayBee70

If Burnham was a responsible politician he wouldn’t renege on his promise to the people of Manchester. He’s using the people of Makerfield and letting down the people in Manchester. I’m ashamed to be a Labour supporter at this moment in time; these shenanigans are as bad as the previous government with its musical chairs approach to its party leadership. And at a time when the government should be showing a united front against the threat from Russia.

I agree. Despite wanting Burnham to win so that Reform don’t get the seat the fact is that there should never have been a by-election, the whole think is rigged and Burnham has shown his true colours as a man prepared to stoop to any lengths to displace a man elected by the people just two years ago. Am wondering how long he has been holding a knife ready to do the dirty on Starmer.
Streeting is no better. Or Healy for resigning instead of hammering out his grievances with Starmer, obviously he is looking for a good position with Burnham.
The whole thing stinks to high heaven.
And as the Tories found out, this revolving door politics doesn’t help the country but helps careerist politicians to help themselves.

On the other hand Burnham, if he becomes MP and then if he becomes PM- may be the positive change the LP and the country needs.

He made his MP bid only after Labour's dire local election results. If he achieves the positive change needed for the party and the country that will be a good thing.

This by election is not rigged. Makerfield residents will make their own secret ballot decision.

Starmer was ruthless to get to where he is as PM. Twas ever thus for all PMs - needing to take their opportunities where they see fit and ruthlessly compete for the top job. Politics has always been a ruthless game at the top.

Spinnaker

I think that secretly Reform will want Burnham to win. Then they will sit back and watch the explosion from this already fragile government, resulting in a complete and utter shambles. In my opinion of course.

That's a good viewpoint. I wondered why Reform had chosen Robert Kenyon as he has made some pretty offensive remarks in the past which may well put some voters off. Perhaps he was chosen for exactly this. Interesting.

I do believe KS is a good man ( as in not corrupt and not a self serving money grabber) and wants to do his best- but he is not inspiring or a good communicator and has lost the support of the trade unions, much of his party and much of the general population sadly.

Whoever comes next, most likely Burnham, I doubt will keep Rachel Reeves as Chancellor. Both Burnham and Streeting are on a platform for "change".

MayBee70

If Burnham was a responsible politician he wouldn’t renege on his promise to the people of Manchester. He’s using the people of Makerfield and letting down the people in Manchester. I’m ashamed to be a Labour supporter at this moment in time; these shenanigans are as bad as the previous government with its musical chairs approach to its party leadership. And at a time when the government should be showing a united front against the threat from Russia.

I agree. Despite wanting Burnham to win so that Reform don’t get the seat the fact is that there should never have been a by-election, the whole think is rigged and Burnham has shown his true colours as a man prepared to stoop to any lengths to displace a man elected by the people just two years ago. Am wondering how long he has been holding a knife ready to do the dirty on Starmer.
Streeting is no better. Or Healy for resigning instead of hammering out his grievances with Starmer, obviously he is looking for a good position with Burnham.
The whole thing stinks to high heaven.
And as the Tories found out, this revolving door politics doesn’t help the country but helps careerist politicians to help themselves.

Much as I think he's hopeless, I think Starmer is less of a worry than anyone else who might stand. And he might see that he needs to be a bit more decisive.

And, as GG says, he needs to decisively get rid of Rachel.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

In a BBC Question Time Makerfield special this month, Mr Burnham said that if Mr Streeting triggered a contest, he too would throw his hat in the ring.

Streeting has said this week he will give Starmer the weekend to reflect and hopes that he will decided to stands down (on the assumption Burnham wins in Makerfield).

If not Burnham inferred in his statement the country cannot continue in its current state of paralysis so will make his leadership bid next week though he wouldn't be drawn on what day of the week it may be next week....

GrannyGravy13

Oh and please can someone sack Rachel Reeves 🤞🏻

Yes, fingers crossed but please not Ed Miliband ( a friend of Burnham.)

Oh and please can someone sack Rachel Reeves 🤞🏻

MaizieD

Mind you, I don't know if Burnham could do what I think is needed, but I've more confidence in the idea of him doing at least some of that as PM than I do in Starmer and Reeves continuing their ruinous economic course..

If he does become PM I think he will try to take the party further left, instead of Starmer’s Tory light

I think we have a very poor selection of politicians of all parties and the UK's problems are so deep-seated as not to be solved by them, AB included.

Mind you, I don't know if Burnham could do what I think is needed, but I've more confidence in the idea of him doing at least some of that as PM than I do in Starmer and Reeves continuing their ruinous economic course..