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

LemonJam

David49

Devolution isn't new of course it's easy to give LAs more power, giving them enough money to change anything is another matter.

AB is not proposing devolution in his ideas speech- power will continue to rest with the government.

A No 10 office is to facilitate power flow similar to other EU countries, shown to be effective and result in higher wages over the country as a result.

Power flow? Where is the money coming from and how much?

As others have said, local authorities have been stripped bare since the days of George Osborne. So are they to be reorganised as is happening at exactly this moment into new administrative bodies which will take time to settle and in many cases, local power will be removed as in the disappearance of Parish Councils.

Or will new regional authorities be created, God help us. And how is any of this to suddenly produce a 'flow of power:, new jobs all over the country? In industry? What kind? What else? Will people be sufficiently educated to fit in this new Jerusalem or will they need skills training? The universities are busy letting go scores of academics? What training is there for unemployed graduates?

So many words from a man not yet PM!! Maybee and David49 I very much agree with your posts, it's devolution all over again. I also agree with those who highlight the circling media vultures. It feels to me like an alarming moment of chaos full of fine words. Where is this power that is suddenly going to save us all? Starmer had plenty of power until the knives came out, it's all quite Shakespearean!

Ilovecheese

Casdon

Ilovecheese

Starmer expelled or alienated thousands of the Labour party membership. He preferred donations from organisations instead of membership fees.

Yes, and many Labour supporters think that was the right thing to do, to avoid the activists tail wagging the dog of power Ilovecheese.

But surely lobbyists should not hold the power either.

That’s about selection though, rather than principle I think.

Casdon

Ilovecheese

Starmer expelled or alienated thousands of the Labour party membership. He preferred donations from organisations instead of membership fees.

Yes, and many Labour supporters think that was the right thing to do, to avoid the activists tail wagging the dog of power Ilovecheese.

But surely lobbyists should not hold the power either.

Ilovecheese

Whitewavemark2

I’m unclear how devolution will work in relation say to the government policy of building more council houses.

This I understand is being devolved, but say the mayor and LA does not agree with the policy of building more council houses?

How does that work?

I think the objections of L As to coucil house building usually arise if they are going to be built on so called green field sites. Andy Burnam said something about building them on greyfield (?) sites. Perhaps that will lead to less objections.

I don’t think that’s all it is. Many councils have divested themselves of all council housing to housing associations, and no longer have the staff or expertise to manage council housing building, maintenance or tenancies in house.

Ilovecheese

Starmer expelled or alienated thousands of the Labour party membership. He preferred donations from organisations instead of membership fees.

Yes, and many Labour supporters think that was the right thing to do, to avoid the activists tail wagging the dog of power Ilovecheese.

Whitewavemark2

I’m unclear how devolution will work in relation say to the government policy of building more council houses.

This I understand is being devolved, but say the mayor and LA does not agree with the policy of building more council houses?

How does that work?

I think the objections of L As to coucil house building usually arise if they are going to be built on so called green field sites. Andy Burnam said something about building them on greyfield (?) sites. Perhaps that will lead to less objections.

If it’s like devolution in Wales, some funds come specifically badged if central government wants a common approach, so I imagine the funding will be badged with no other options of ways to spend it - like the government did in England with potholes, for example, a ring fenced allocation?

Starmer expelled or alienated thousands of the Labour party membership. He preferred donations from organisations instead of membership fees.

I’m unclear how devolution will work in relation say to the government policy of building more council houses.

This I understand is being devolved, but say the mayor and LA does not agree with the policy of building more council houses?

How does that work?

I thought his speech today was inspirational and uplifting ! It engaged me immediately and I also like the idea of a northern number 10! I was born in the south but have lived in the north for 50 years so I know about differences first hand! The next few weeks are are going to be very interesting .

LemonJam

David49

Devolution isn't new of course it's easy to give LAs more power, giving them enough money to change anything is another matter.

AB is not proposing devolution in his ideas speech- power will continue to rest with the government.

A No 10 office is to facilitate power flow similar to other EU countries, shown to be effective and result in higher wages over the country as a result.

He is proposing devolving budgets and increased powers to regions in England Lemonjam, as well as increasing the devolved remit of the other nations. That is devolution, even if not all powers are devolved?

Luckygirl3

hoomee29

David49 and MayBee70

I agree with both of you. It seemed to me that KS was used as an acceptable face to get elected whereupon he would be pushed aside in favour of one of the far left candidates apparently cleared out of the party but standing in the wings.
AB has three years to either rescue the economy or completely trash it. I can't see how a socialist can rescue it. Look at Venezuela with all its natural resources. Ruined by left wing ineptitude and corruption. Who will then walk in to make hay is anybody's guess.

Don't panic - you will not get anything remotely left wing - more's the pity.

Agree. Sadly under Starmer most (many of them Labour Party active members for decades) have been hounded out of that party.

He also said of housing, which I think is true, that secure housing has a knock on effect on health and welfare.

He did talk about housing, which is a nationwide issue. He was right to say that everyone should have a secure home in order to thrive. A huge council house building project will be a great help, as long as it is not subject to "right to buy".

On a positive note - Burnham is more relatable than Starmer.

What I did think was that his policies were relatively parochial. I would like to hear more about the nationwide issues, like social care, healthcare and welfare, defence, ( remember that was the beginning of the end for Starmer) and Europe.

Perhaps this will be developed as people get the chance to question him?

I was heartened by Andy Burnham’s speech. He used a great venue, which he clearly appreciates as a Manchester gem

I like the ideas relating to utilities and housing. However, I’m puzzled how keeping to the same fiscal rules, will allow these ideas to go forward.

And the electorate has made very clear they wanted someone different to Starmer.....

Luckygirl3

"I am going to do things differently ..." They all say that! And you are not PM yet!!!

AB was clear he's not been elected yet ( though no one else has stepped forward to compete with him so far.....) joked about speculation and presented his intention to do things differently if elected and gave some examples.

Posters were asking what he stood for and now AB's beginning setting out his stall. All PM contenders in selection process and then when PM say they will do things differently- and they do!. On the rank the 6 MPs over the past 10 years thread we can see how differently all 6 PMs did things.....

We can be sure AB will be different to Starmer, Sunak, Truss, Boris, May and Cameron.

David49

Devolution isn't new of course it's easy to give LAs more power, giving them enough money to change anything is another matter.

AB is not proposing devolution in his ideas speech- power will continue to rest with the government.

A No 10 office is to facilitate power flow similar to other EU countries, shown to be effective and result in higher wages over the country as a result.

"I am going to do things differently ..." They all say that! And you are not PM yet!!!

That’s not how I understood what Burnham said David49? I think it’s about devolving more powers currently held at Westminster to Regions in England. More akin to devolution to the other countries of the UK than giving more money and power to LAs?

Devolution isn't new of course it's easy to give LAs more power, giving them enough money to change anything is another matter.

Oreo

Ilovecheese

I have just watched the speech. Lots of good ideas, I thought. Positive and forward looking.

That’s what I thought too.

I also thought that. Some really good ideas

I liked the Number 10 of the North idea. to expand the workings of number 10. The OECD has found that UK has one of the most, if not the most centralised government in number 10 compared to other countries. OECD has also found that wages across the country are higher as a result of governments operations centre is less centralised than UK number 10.