Andy Burnham won Makerfield

Crikey- that’s way back history Galaxy! Politics, the LP, AB and the country has moved on since all those years ago. AB has honed his skills and his electoral successes have surpassed his previous competitors since. If you expect him to lose a leadership contest now I would lay bets you are mistaken and out of date. AB shows no current signs of having nightmares as you belive possible…

Iam64

How do we conclude Burnham doesn’t want a leadership contest.

It’s pure conjecture on my part of course but, if Burnham is trying to persuade people not to stand against him e.g. Streeting, one could assume it’s because he wants to avoid a leadership election. Otherwise, why bother - just let them stand.

Obviously, as I say, this is purely my opinion🤷‍♀️ but, given the shenanigans that went on to catapult him to Westminster, I think it’s highly probable.

Why would Burnham do that, when he knows he’s a shoe-in LizzieDrip? I don’t really get where you’re coming from, given a leadership contest would buy him more time to sort out his team and get to grips with all the issues, whereas if it’s uncontested he will be plunged into the big job very quickly.

@Cossy

The previous Makerfield MP, Josh Simons, resigned as an MP in order to allow Andy Burnham to stand in the subsequent by-election.

Casdon

Why would Burnham do that, when he knows he’s a shoe-in LizzieDrip? I don’t really get where you’re coming from, given a leadership contest would buy him more time to sort out his team and get to grips with all the issues, whereas if it’s uncontested he will be plunged into the big job very quickly.

Maybe because he wants to avoid the public scrutiny of his policies & views via the TV debates etc that a leadership contest would engender.

I don’t know. I’m just being honest regarding my gut feelings about AB.

If he is the golden boy that many clearly think he is, fair enough. I’m yet to be convinced - time will tell.

Andy Pandy’s coming to play . . . I wonder who he’ll choose for Looby Lou?

I don't think Burnham would lose now but I am simply staring a fact that Burnham lost both previous leadership elections - one to Corbyn. For those of us who have been labour party members until recently, it is an interesting part of the labour party journey.

LizzieDrip

Casdon

Why would Burnham do that, when he knows he’s a shoe-in LizzieDrip? I don’t really get where you’re coming from, given a leadership contest would buy him more time to sort out his team and get to grips with all the issues, whereas if it’s uncontested he will be plunged into the big job very quickly.

Maybe because he wants to avoid the public scrutiny of his policies & views via the TV debates etc that a leadership contest would engender.

I don’t know. I’m just being honest regarding my gut feelings about AB.

If he is the golden boy that many clearly think he is, fair enough. I’m yet to be convinced - time will tell.

I don’t get why he would want to avoid scrutiny though, his views are already out there, he’s not backward at saying what he thinks.

I’m not convinced that he’s the golden boy either (I’m not convinced there even is one, in any party), but if he isn’t, it’s not going to be because of his views, it will be either that he’s got a big skeleton in his cupboard, that he can’t manage the media, or that he can’t deliver. We will see.

Galaxy

I don't think Burnham would lose now but I am simply staring a fact that Burnham lost both previous leadership elections - one to Corbyn. For those of us who have been labour party members until recently, it is an interesting part of the labour party journey.

You can’t deny he’s a trier.

That made me smile.

I feel that if Starmer hadn't blocked his application to stand as a candidate in the Gorton by election we wouldn't be having so much angst about him now.

I see him as someone utterly frustrated at the turn a Labour government had taken and wanting to get it back to something that the electorate would expect of a Labour government.

Though, having said that, I' surprised that he appeared to endorse the dreadful proposals re indefinite leave to remain and residence period needed before applying for British citizenship from our Home Secretary.

LizzieDrip

LemonJam the LP has 250,000 grass roots members (of whom I’m one).

If there’s no leadership election it feels very much like democracy denied to the LP membership.

I hope with all my heart a Labour MP has the balls to stand against AB so we can observe fair, rigorous scrutiny.

I think, in the long run, this would be better for Burnham himself. If he wins (which he probably will) it’s better to say ‘I have a mandate from the LP wider grass roots membership’ than ‘I have a mandate from just one specific constituency’.

The way Burnham’s return to the HoC has been facilitated already feels grubby to me and leaves a bad taste.

I really do not support the further idea of him (or anyone for that matter) being handed the keys to N0 10 without proper scrutiny and a democratic vote by the membership.

My feeling exactly Lizzie

I think that, for the first time ever Farages comments re an election are justified. There must be legislation in the future to stop political parties just being able to change leader on a whim without consulting the electorate.

But we don't vote for a person to be PM MayBee70 we are choosing the government.

Agree.

Farage is asking for a General Election.

Galaxy

I don't think Burnham would lose now but I am simply staring a fact that Burnham lost both previous leadership elections - one to Corbyn. For those of us who have been labour party members until recently, it is an interesting part of the labour party journey.

Still am in. its not new at all, its been all discussed for months and months in terms of possibles and mostly in my large northern city Burnham has been a front runner for months as "possible". There were not good feelings when Starmer blocked him before Gorton, remember?

I reckon last night they got together and decided -surely thats why Streeting stood down so rapidly - I'm guessing cabinet places

- to avoid the inevitable unedifying attempts by the press to enjoy ripping them all to shreds, hours of pointless speculation, when Burnham would have won anyway.

NotSpaghetti

But we don't vote for a person to be PM MayBee70 we are choosing the government.

In theory yes. But how many people on the doorstep said they wouldn’t vote for Corbyn?

Wyllow3

Galaxy

I don't think Burnham would lose now but I am simply staring a fact that Burnham lost both previous leadership elections - one to Corbyn. For those of us who have been labour party members until recently, it is an interesting part of the labour party journey.

Still am in. its not new at all, its been all discussed for months and months in terms of possibles and mostly in my large northern city Burnham has been a front runner for months as "possible". There were not good feelings when Starmer blocked him before Gorton, remember?

I reckon last night they got together and decided -surely thats why Streeting stood down so rapidly - I'm guessing cabinet places

- to avoid the inevitable unedifying attempts by the press to enjoy ripping them all to shreds, hours of pointless speculation, when Burnham would have won anyway.

But surely he needs to categorically state what he intends to do as PM? He’s already changed his mind on some issues. Does he still believe in PR for example? The electorate (whichever party they support) have a right to know how they will be affected by this change of leadership.

Why didn't Farage call for by elections when Tory MPs defected to reform?

Winston Churchill crossed the floor twice….

It is very worrying that in a few weeks we could have a PM who has not told anyone what his policies might be.

Can this be true democracy?

The Labour Party has a manifesto.
That's what was voted for.

Was a land tax in the manifesto?

Google is your friend ronib.