Burnham: Is the Media Tempting Fate by Jumping the Gun?

Post truth politics has now entered the age of ego politics I fear

There is surely nothing more depressing that the Smiths.

MayBee70

So was it wrong of Starmer and Reeves to point out to the electorate that Labour had inherited a country in a bad way after 14 years of austerity added to which were wars and then a deranged vengeful POTUS; to say that it couldn’t be turned around quickly and that they couldn’t promise sunlit uplands in the first term? Has Burnham ever mentioned anything about world affairs or how he is going to deal with other world leaders. Or is he too busy referencing cult moves and Smiths songs ( but without ever mentioning Morrissey’s current political views because he sits on the fence when it comes to that)?

No. I don't think they were 'wrong', but I don't think they should have had such a doom and gloom message.

I would prefer absolutely honesty, but the reality is that, as we have seen, the population as a whole wants soundbites and slogans and 'charisma', so that is what has to be provided one way or another. Otherwise we keep hearing about 'rabbits in the headlights' and 'two tier' policies and so on. People don't want to hear anything other than what suits them, and even then they will twist it to say what they want it to say.

That is no way to run a country, IMO, but it is what we are faced with. .

Keep calm and carry on is the slogan for our times. Like LemonJam I’m hopeful and positive about Andy Burnham. I was about Keir Starmer and it was a very long time before I reluctantly agreed he had to go.

Andy Burnham is more of a fairly well known politician as he used to and now represents areas I know well. When he mentioned the left behind he named Platt Bridge which I’m very familiar with because of my working life. Honestly I feel emotional remembering the ex mining families who lost pride, couldn’t find any work and so much alcohol and drug addiction followed. Andy gets it, that’s what’s needed

DaisyAnneReturns

LemonJam

DaisyAnneReturns

Oh LemonJam, you do sound down.

My reply 13.47 was meant to be in response to you DAR 💐

Did I misread it? I thought you sounded sad.

Hopeful and positive about AB but sad the amount of disparagement and antipathy against him already and he has not even been voted as PM yet. Still he's been around the block and will survive I'm sure whatever the outcome.

I worry that our country has become ungovernable after leaving the EU and the electorate and media is not prepared to give any elected party a chance to govern. However I guess it's par for the course though and has been the same pattern since the EU referendum.

Keep calm and carry on....

MayBee70

Probably the sort of things that Starmer was planning to do in the second term…

It could be, couldn't it.

I did misread it, didn't I LemonJam.

People are jumping ahead - including me it seems. Sorry

Probably the sort of things that Starmer was planning to do in the second term…

From what I can find the 2024 manifesto provides a foundation for many of Burnham's ideas. Burnham's programme is generally more ambitious on devolution, constitutional reform, and local empowerment than the manifesto was. It is more an expansion of Labour's existing direction than a contradiction of it.

LemonJam

DaisyAnneReturns

Oh LemonJam, you do sound down.

My reply 13.47 was meant to be in response to you DAR 💐

Did I misread it? I thought you sounded sad.

Ed Balls on breakfast tv ( I don’t watch it but my partner does) is now saying Burnham doesn’t have a mandate to rule. And yet he, like everybody else, was calling for Starmer to go. Maybe he’s worried that his wife will be out of the cabinet. Yet another person that I feel let down by.; the number grows by the day. I’m even agreeing with things that George Galloway is saying …

Amazing transformation a short while ago Andy Burnham wasn’t even an MP now he looks destined for the top job. Never been a fan of Starmer I am sure he is a very nice man but that’s about it he appears to have no drive he doesn’t instil a feeling of confidence or hope.

It’s actually a horrible feeling isn’t it GG.

If this is what ‘politically homeless’ feels like … I don’t like it😢

LizzieDrip that is exactly how I feel about the Conservatives, I suppose I am politically homeless at the moment.

I was really shocked at the results of our County Council election, and for the first time in my life I may have to consider voting tactically in the next GE. Which is something I would never have contemplated before…

Oh I agree WW, this coup has been a long time in the planning.

TBH it’s the coup aspect of the entire thing that has soured the party for me … and it’s my party!

In the past, when people have said to me “Oh they’re all the same”, I’ve defended Labour to the hilt. I’ve said Labour MPs are not devious and scheming like the Tories. But, now it appears they are!

I just don’t trust them any more, and that’s heartbreaking … because I want to.

MayBee70

LizzieDrip

Yes the PLP get to chose - not the grass roots Labour membership (all 250,000 of us)!

As someone pointed out on Facebook they could have chosen someone from the extreme left of the party and installed them as PM. The electorate voted for someone slightly left of centre ( if that even) and didn’t vote for any of Burnhams policies. And from what I can see he is already acting as if he’s PM but with no scrutiny eg refusing to answer questions from the press. No mention of how he’s going to deal with foreign leaders. Just ‘hey I remember when I used to DJ here stuff’. If he stopped doing that I might be more accepting of him but it just reminds me of Farages I’m a man of the people way of selling himself. And all the while Starmer is still just getting on with the job in his quiet boring un charismatic way.

You are right, and that is what is worrying me.

Burnham clearly enjoys the limelight, and is reasonably confident when faced by cameras, with his apparent easy going character. But he simply does not appear to have the depth of character, and I’m sure that this coup has been a long time in the planning, with the help of the right wing press.

MayBee70. Ive boot voted for Andy in previous leadership contests (Yvette cooper) but id vote for him now. He’s gained in experience and confidence in his time as Mayor. My experience is he’s a warm , compassionate and grounded political person. He’s not play acting like farage. He is as you see him

paddyann54

*I am64* it’s not about her being a successful woman…it’s about HIM giving her company a multi million pound contract!
Hasn,t there been far too much of these deals from governments recently.
Is it acceptable to hand out large sums of public money to family and friends?

This is an untrue claim that is doing the rounds on social media do some research and you will find out the truth.

www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-andy-burnhams-wife-and-a-completely-invented-social-media-story/

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Burnham wants ‘more devolution’. Oh heck.
Did anyone vote for this? Only devolution has worked so well for Scotland and Wales hasn’t it? Not.

Devolution was in the Labour Party manifesto so yes the people who voted for Labour voted for it.

LizzieDrip

Yes the PLP get to chose - not the grass roots Labour membership (all 250,000 of us)!

As someone pointed out on Facebook they could have chosen someone from the extreme left of the party and installed them as PM. The electorate voted for someone slightly left of centre ( if that even) and didn’t vote for any of Burnhams policies. And from what I can see he is already acting as if he’s PM but with no scrutiny eg refusing to answer questions from the press. No mention of how he’s going to deal with foreign leaders. Just ‘hey I remember when I used to DJ here stuff’. If he stopped doing that I might be more accepting of him but it just reminds me of Farages I’m a man of the people way of selling himself. And all the while Starmer is still just getting on with the job in his quiet boring un charismatic way.

Yes the PLP get to chose - not the grass roots Labour membership (all 250,000 of us)!

LizzieDrip

You’re right LemonJam, AB isn’t yet the PM - perhaps he should stop behaving like he is.

I just hope Labour MPs haven’t made a monumental mistake … one which will potentially affect the country for decades.

well the country is still dealing with the negative impact of leaving the EU as a result of Cameron's decision to have a referendum and that will affect us for decades to come and not in a good way. It was a monumental mistake that Conservatives chose him as their PM but it was their choice.

Now the LP get their turn to chose their next PM.

LizzieDrip

You’re right LemonJam, AB isn’t yet the PM - perhaps he should stop behaving like he is.

I just hope Labour MPs haven’t made a monumental mistake … one which will potentially affect the country for decades.

I have not interpreted AB's behaviour as though he is behaving as though he is PM LizzieDrip- so will agree to differ with you on that.

Keith Starmer is still PM till the end of his resignation notice period.

You’re right LemonJam, AB isn’t yet the PM - perhaps he should stop behaving like he is.

I just hope Labour MPs haven’t made a monumental mistake … one which will potentially affect the country for decades.

DaisyAnneReturns

Oh LemonJam, you do sound down.

My reply 13.47 was meant to be in response to you DAR 💐