Andy Burnham won Makerfield

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

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.

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 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.

That made me smile.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

@Cossy

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

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.

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.

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…

LizzieDrip

LemonJam of course I don’t hold Burnham personally responsible for the workings of the LP constitution.

However, I do believe that he and his team will have been busy ‘persuading’ MPs not to stand against him … possibly with the promise of top Cabinet jobs. It’s clearly already worked with Wes Streeting - let’s see what plum job he gets in Burnham’s Cabinet.

I suppose this sort of behind the scenes behaviour is just ‘politics’ … I find it sneaky, disingenuous and rather cowardly. Why doesn’t Burnham want to face the scrutiny of a leadership election?

I would prefer a leadership election!

Thats speculative - but on balance I speculate it’s more likely Streeting didn’t have the 81 votes of support and/ or he can read the room and he has decided it’s in his best interests to negotiate for * his* best outcome as not likely to win vote.

I am 100 positive AB is happy and willing to face a vote- if only to face down such disingenuous comments he is sneaky and cowardly.

Well it is possible he has nightmares about the last two leadership elections.

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

LemonJam of course I don’t hold Burnham personally responsible for the workings of the LP constitution.

However, I do believe that he and his team will have been busy ‘persuading’ MPs not to stand against him … possibly with the promise of top Cabinet jobs. It’s clearly already worked with Wes Streeting - let’s see what plum job he gets in Burnham’s Cabinet.

I suppose this sort of behind the scenes behaviour is just ‘politics’ … I find it sneaky, disingenuous and rather cowardly. Why doesn’t Burnham want to face the scrutiny of a leadership election?

I would prefer a leadership election!

I’m with Casdon and LemonJam in believing Burnham would be happy to be part of a leadership election. I don’t think it’s likely to happen but if it did, imo Andy would win.

I wish none of this had happened but any party or government who is determined not to read the room, will end up being criticised and dismissed

I wouldn't have taken that selfie if I was him but thats possibly why I won't be PM.

Yes, I agree.

I think AB would be willing to face a leadership vote/election- just not sure it can be deemed his fault and his responsibility if other contenders don't put themselves up for a vote. But appreciate others hold different views.

Don’t you get the impression that Burnham is who the majority of MPs want though, I do? I suspect Streeting couldn't get the votes to stand against him, once Burnham was elected, although they wanted to get Starmer to stand down. and Starmer himself couldn’t muster enough support either. Who else is there with any chance of getting 81 votes?

LemonJam

Lizziedrip- you know the LP party constitution better than me I'm sure as a LP member.

Streeting has ruled himself out- it's yet to be seen how many other contenders manage to secure 81 MP backers to also stand as a contender against AB and how the vote goes if so.

Would you hold AB personally responsible if no other contenders get the 81 vote backing and/or do not come forward?

I would. I feel he was sneaky and came in via the back door.

He’s been in cahoots with other LP MPs ever since he denied the chance to run in the earlier Denton by election.

Not the best decision made by Starmer!

Lizziedrip- you know the LP party constitution better than me I'm sure as a LP member.

Streeting has ruled himself out- it's yet to be seen how many other contenders manage to secure 81 MP backers to also stand as a contender against AB and how the vote goes if so.

Would you hold AB personally responsible if no other contenders get the 81 vote backing and/or do not come forward?