Andy Burnham won Makerfield

I meant to post the net zero article when I first saw it but never got round to it. Something for the Ed Milliband haters to reflect on 😆

No he doesn't do anything single-handedly.
Nor does anyone else.

And some of us had seen that news. But thanks anyway because probably lots haven't.

NotSpaghetti

Thank you Cossy.
I think he's done a lot of good things and had no credit for them.
I think he's honest and trustworthy.

(Just saying. Not challenging anyone.)

The PM doesn’t do all these ‘good things’ single handedly.

Ministers in charge of departments are not there to carry out the PM’s instructions. They have policies from the party’s manifesto, which is a collaborative effort, to implement and may have their own ideas on ways to improve the work and purpose of their department. They will have ideas of their own which they seek to have implemented but government is far too complex for one person to be directing every little detail.

The problem with Starmer is that he seems to have been badly advised by McSweeney and spent far too much time chasing Reform voters, who were highly unlikely to vote Labour at the next GE and alienating the ‘soft left’ of the LP membership and the PLP. He also, as many Gnetters have pointed out, had dreadful comms. So many achievements have been barely noticed. who, for instance, has noticed this news? www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/02/uk-green-economy-worth-more-than-100bn-a-year-net-zero

I don’t dislike Starmer but he really hasn’t proved to be competent in the PM role. Like others here, I think he’d be a good Foreign Secretary.

Thank you Cossy.
I think he's done a lot of good things and had no credit for them.
I think he's honest and trustworthy.

(Just saying. Not challenging anyone.)

Cossy I agree totally about Starmer being vilified from day 1
To get this far it has taken a lot of courage and stamina ! I do admire his stubbornness and he has put the country first as far as I am concerned !

David I think you do the majority of people in our country a massive disservice.

Far more people do paid work, than don’t work, far more people work really long hours in low paid jobs and without whom both our economy and health would suffer.

Where would we be with our public sector staff, shop staff, road cleaners. rubbish removal bin staff, those at the lower end of our employment without whom our “high flyers” wouldn’t be able to function, their lowly admin staff and their domestic staff.

Most people in our country, within all generations are not freeloaders. Those with the least financially are often those who give the most, most of their time, most of their empathy and think of others far more often than they think of themselves.

As for pensioners being greedy and selfish, that’s utterly hilarious!

The pensioners that I know do voluntary work, they provide free childcare to their own grandchildren, they look after elderly parents.

They are extremely valuable members of their communities and society and have worked all their lives, paid their correct taxes and brought their children up to be useful members of society.

mokryna

It is similar to the television game shows, viewers get bored after a few weeks so want to vote a contestant off.

Personally, like both Starmer and Burnham.

People say Starmer has lied, but circumstances around the world have changed. Nobody knew the true deficit in the public finances until Labour came into power, so naturally these, promises/policies, had to change.

The newspapers mainly focus on his mistakes, glasses and football places, corruption, to Mandelson. Compared to a previous minster, to advise the queen to prorogue parliament that parliament would still have “ample time” to debate Brexit, Dominic Cummings, Number 10 breaking of lockdown rules and bodies to pile in the streets, wallpapergate.

Living in the EU what I see is a solid law abiding Starmer giving, a steady hand to lead the UK on the world stage.

The deficit after 14 years of C rule left nothing in the kitty.

Nobody talks about the good he has done. His Chancellor tried to start balancing the books by stopping the winter fuel payments but he listened to the public concern and changed course, now it seems to his detriment.

He is helping larger families with child allowance, school meals, clubs and nurseries but there is no money.

Even the figures of migration are falling people and the NHS had figures of improvement in some places last week, lists falling and more appointments but they don’t hit the headlines.

So Burnham has won this election should, he is a charismatic talker but what can he do differently with no money available and a looming war?

Starmer was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t from day 1.

I hope whatever happens, it’s quick and as painless as possible and I feel, quite frankly, whatever any one else thinks, Starmer has really had a rough ride.

Criticised whether he acts or doesn’t act, insulted by the way he looks and speaks and frankly ridiculed at times.

He’s a highly educated and calm thoughtful man, who like every one of us, is human and flawed and makes mistakes.

Whoever our next PM is needs to understand this and that it’s a poisoned chalice they are being handed (or taking)

Me, too. Can't wait.

mokryna

It is similar to the television game shows, viewers get bored after a few weeks so want to vote a contestant off.

Personally, like both Starmer and Burnham.

People say Starmer has lied, but circumstances around the world have changed. Nobody knew the true deficit in the public finances until Labour came into power, so naturally these, promises/policies, had to change.

The newspapers mainly focus on his mistakes, glasses and football places, corruption, to Mandelson. Compared to a previous minster, to advise the queen to prorogue parliament that parliament would still have “ample time” to debate Brexit, Dominic Cummings, Number 10 breaking of lockdown rules and bodies to pile in the streets, wallpapergate.

Living in the EU what I see is a solid law abiding Starmer giving, a steady hand to lead the UK on the world stage.

The deficit after 14 years of C rule left nothing in the kitty.

Nobody talks about the good he has done. His Chancellor tried to start balancing the books by stopping the winter fuel payments but he listened to the public concern and changed course, now it seems to his detriment.

He is helping larger families with child allowance, school meals, clubs and nurseries but there is no money.

Even the figures of migration are falling people and the NHS had figures of improvement in some places last week, lists falling and more appointments but they don’t hit the headlines.

So Burnham has won this election should, he is a charismatic talker but what can he do differently with no money available and a looming war?

Just signed a huge trade deal with Japan and the doctors strike is over after negotiation.

I agree that Starmer would make a good foreign secretary. He seems far more comfortable on the world stage with international leaders than he does at home. He just does not have the charisma to be a leader.

Don't believe anything he promises. So many U turns, change of views from Waspi women to trans rights and migrant benefits. He'd do and say anything to get into Downing Street.

MaizieD

^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.

We have had mild socialism for decades and it doesn't work too much is given away in public spending, growth stagnates and borrowing increases. It's not just a UK problem many other democracies have the same problem, voters want benefits today without paying or working for them. The result being not investment in growth or infrastructure.

I did hope that Starmer would grow the economy and get closer to balancing the economy. Whoever leads the government in the future is only going to be successful if his MPs support him, we will see.

Cossy

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! Can we afford it? No!

Can we afford it?

AI and I are working on that one

It is similar to the television game shows, viewers get bored after a few weeks so want to vote a contestant off.

Personally, like both Starmer and Burnham.

People say Starmer has lied, but circumstances around the world have changed. Nobody knew the true deficit in the public finances until Labour came into power, so naturally these, promises/policies, had to change.

The newspapers mainly focus on his mistakes, glasses and football places, corruption, to Mandelson. Compared to a previous minster, to advise the queen to prorogue parliament that parliament would still have “ample time” to debate Brexit, Dominic Cummings, Number 10 breaking of lockdown rules and bodies to pile in the streets, wallpapergate.

Living in the EU what I see is a solid law abiding Starmer giving, a steady hand to lead the UK on the world stage.

The deficit after 14 years of C rule left nothing in the kitty.

Nobody talks about the good he has done. His Chancellor tried to start balancing the books by stopping the winter fuel payments but he listened to the public concern and changed course, now it seems to his detriment.

He is helping larger families with child allowance, school meals, clubs and nurseries but there is no money.

Even the figures of migration are falling people and the NHS had figures of improvement in some places last week, lists falling and more appointments but they don’t hit the headlines.

So Burnham has won this election should, he is a charismatic talker but what can he do differently with no money available and a looming war?

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! Can we afford it? No!

Susieq62

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 👍

Oh I love Northumberland!

Enjoy and I agree with every word!

Susieq62

MaizieD brilliant response 👏👏

I agree!

Susieq62- typo sorry

Susie62- enjoy your happy pace break Northumberland 👍😎

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..