Andy Burnham won Makerfield

Lemonjam great points and reflections!
I just want less turmoil, fewer egos, more consideration for the country ! I would have to really think about a decent cabinet which would work together! There are a few females back benchers I think would meet the mark! I just hope next week goes smoothly as I am going to my happy place for 5 days ! Northumberland beckons 👍

The honeymoon period- as it is for all PMs is very short.

AB has been around the block- he knows this as does Streeting. Both are made of stern stuff. I don't really see any other realistic contenders.

Plus will be interesting how many contenders come forward- so how many vote rounds. Starmer is not the only one that needs to read the room!

If/when Burnham becomes PM his honeymoon period will last till the Autumn in my opinion and if he picks the obnoxious Milliband as Chancellor even quicker.

A leadership contest. could be secured over the summer recess so not adversely impact active government.

However I'm hoping fervently Starmer may shift his position and opt for an orderly transition without the need for that. Currently he's not showing signs of that- but if he's still signing in by PMQ on Wednesday a leadership contest will highly likely follow.

GemmaMack you hope he’ll ditch the triple lock…Only someone who does not have only the StatePension to rely on would say that. It is the lowest in the first and second world because it is contributory as well as free to anyone who hits the age barrier who has not contributed! if they have no other income. No other country does this. No wonder people flock here.
Half of UK population worked in the public sector, especially the NHS, so they get additional public sector pension as well the state pension as they have contributed to that as well. But they would be subject to tax.
The triple lock ‘over generous handout’ has amounted to as much as a cup of coffee per week. I just got the supplement for reaching 80. It was 25 p yes pence.
So much rubbish talked about triple lock which just means it keeps up with cost of living or 2.5%. So people like me who worked in the private sector that didn’t have pension scheme, and was self employed and paid as much as I could for 40 years, to serps etc, gets under £1000 a month. With the triple lock. Because older pensioners also get less than younger pensioners. I suppose they reckon we don’t have much of a voice. It’s grossly unfair and on top of that accused of being greedy.
And remember 2and a half percent of £10K per year is £250. A year. It deludes people It’s not like 2 and a half percent on average wage..

Hmm. you have a point re the summer recess, tho I didnt want to rush. I'm not sure it's actually do-able in procedural terms?

LemonJam I agree with your post of 10.15.29 👍

Susieq62

Out with 2 female friends fir a meal last night ( what a treat!) and the by election was discussed! We all agreed that Burnham needs to serve his constituents before doing anything else! They elected him to be their MP and to re present them in Parliament! That is his immediate job !
Labour have three more years in Gov with a huge majority so why rock the boat now? I know I said a Starmer/Burnham (with maybe Streeting thrown in ) package would be great but not yet !
We need stability but maybe a cabinet reshuffle might come into play
I know I am emailing my MP to ask her not to support a leadership race now!

Those that voted for Burnham in Makerfield were fully aware of AB's Westminster ambitions but still he secured more votes than all the other parties put together. All those in government office also serve their constituencies including Starmer.

At the last GE I would suggest most did not specifically vote for Starmer as a leader. The LP has the mandate of the people for the next three years, that will not change if the PM changes as we know.

There are 2 fundamental questions I would suggest (others may have more):

1) Has the level of disappointment in Starmer gone too far for him to ever recover before the next election- yes/no?
2) If there is one change to another PM (AB or another), someone better received by the public, MPs, party members and TU affiliate supporters, who has potential to pave the way for the change people are seeking- would that serve the country in a better way for the next 3 years- yes/no? Makerfield seemed to vote yes to this....

What immediate cabinet reshuffle are you suggesting and in what way will that improve Starmer's leadership standing with his cabinet, his MPs, party members, Trade Unison affiliate supporters and the general public? I would suggest no reshuffle will satisfy Starmer's detractors.

Many recognise and applaud Starmer's achievements on the world stage but his leadership of his cabinet, his decision making and domestic performance has frustrated many. Recently his well regarded Defence Manager resigned. He's in a vulnerable position yet at the moment vowing to fight on.

Is he making a mistake- time will tell. Is a change in PM inevitable now- I would suggest yes. Would an ordered transition be better over the summer recess- yes I think it would.

MaizieD brilliant response 👏👏

Too far is communism where there is no incentive to work and be productive, where no one wants to invest in the country because there is no reward.

As the UK is about as far away from 'communism' as I am from the moon, David no-one has any cause for worry, then.

Of course, if people are desperately worried that a bit of mild socialism will mean that money ceases to flow rapidly upward to further enrich the already wealthy then I can understand their fears...It wouldn't do for distribution to become a trifle more equable would it? Oh dear, no.

Calendargirl

Menopauselbitch

Being in the care home for autistic adults business with 6 homes we do not have one resident that their family pays for. The government pays it.

The government don’t pay.

Taxpayers do.

People like you and me, assuming you’re a taxpayer of course.

Where do you think that 'taxpayers money' comes from in the first place?

How has the amount of money in the economy expanded over decades so as to be sufficient to serve the needs of an ever expanding population? We don't all have money printing machine in our garden shed or garage (if we did we'd be breaking the law).

Indiebee

Basgetti - why are you a twit? I can’t find anything twittish!

I said I didn’t think he would win.

Menopauselbitch

Being in the care home for autistic adults business with 6 homes we do not have one resident that their family pays for. The government pays it.

and?

they are adults. Are you seriously suggesting parents have to pay the care for their adult children?

even if people with autism lack mental capacity (presuming you are talking about residential care) they are allowed to make choices about their own lives and that includes where they live

Menopauselbitch

Being in the care home for autistic adults business with 6 homes we do not have one resident that their family pays for. The government pays it.

The government don’t pay.

Taxpayers do.

People like you and me, assuming you’re a taxpayer of course.

Out with 2 female friends fir a meal last night ( what a treat!) and the by election was discussed! We all agreed that Burnham needs to serve his constituents before doing anything else! They elected him to be their MP and to re present them in Parliament! That is his immediate job !
Labour have three more years in Gov with a huge majority so why rock the boat now? I know I said a Starmer/Burnham (with maybe Streeting thrown in ) package would be great but not yet !
We need stability but maybe a cabinet reshuffle might come into play
I know I am emailing my MP to ask her not to support a leadership race now!

MaizieD

^I also have a great fear that if Burnham takes over the Labour Party we will go too far to the left^

I am always curious to know what 'too far to the left' actually means and why it should be something to be feared...

Too far is communism where there is no incentive to work and be productive, where no one wants to invest in the country because there is no reward.

We saw this in Soviet times, an oppressed population and no investment. China is different, you are allowed to profit from enterprise, investment is rewarded as long as you obey the rules, dissent is not allowed.

Soak the rich is a good vote winner but doesnt increase revenue much and reduces investment, the bulk of revenue comes from the wider population.

MartavTaurus

Poor old Axel the dog could be in for a hard time with Larry the cat!

Oh dear - it'll take a bigger doggie than that to stand up to Larry!

I truly look forward to Mr Burnham getting into Number 10 and prioritising booting smug Rachel Reeves straight to the back benches.

LIllyg2803

Yes, get rid of the triple lock, but peg the pension to the living wage ie £25k Pa. Then just annually increase it by the inflation rate. Most pensioners would be happy to receive the minimum wage rate.

Yes an excellent idea, you would need to double income tax to pay for it, so our working children will have a lot more tax to pay.

Basgetti - why are you a twit? I can’t find anything twittish!

Poor old Axel the dog could be in for a hard time with Larry the cat!

Larry the Downing Street Cat might have to get scribbling yet another 'welcome' speech for yet another new tenant of Number 10........

Coming back to say I’m a twit 😁

Yes, get rid of the triple lock, but peg the pension to the living wage ie £25k Pa. Then just annually increase it by the inflation rate. Most pensioners would be happy to receive the minimum wage rate.