7 PMs in a decade 😬

True, but the big difference is their leader is chosen directly by the people. And this after two rounds of voting. A French President can only be elected with the support of at least 50 percent plus of those voting.
I know it is a completely different system, but it makes more sense to me.

MartavTaurus

I spend a lot of my year in France where people I know like to talk about politics. It's embarrassing to hear them ask for the names of our PMs because they're at a loss to remember them. So you get,
The one who ordered the stupid Brexit vote and took you out?
The lady one who lasted all of a month?
The rude one who went home early during the DDay commemorations?
The current one?
The only one they remember the name of was Boris. Make of that what you will.
I think you're right Fallingstar, not one of them leaves a lasting impression for the right reasons or has the calibre needed to govern the country.

The French do like to criticise their neighbours, takes their minds off the political quagmire they are in. Usually all tongue in cheek, really they are very worried about their own country, their dislike of Macron and what 2027 will bring.

Tuliptree

Goodness the level of name calling has rapidly reached new lows and do very very witty.

There has been no name calling, but some of us have been around long enough to know that no Prime Minister every lives up to everything he promises.

As Harold McMillan is alleged to have said when asked by a young journalist what was most likely to knock a government off course,'events, dear boy, events.' meaning that unpredictable historical moments will always dictate a statesman's success, rather than the plans he has made

This is what concerns me that this hyping up of Andy Burnham before he is even in the door of No 10, will eventually undermine any success he has. It would be great if he could turn the country round economically, end poverty, give us full employment, a superb NHS, top quality education for every child, no homelessness and a decent home for every family, but we know that to do all of that, even in 10 years, is impossible, and he is entirely at the mercy of events.

If Putin spreads the war to countries outside Ukraine, especially if that country is a NATO member, and it surely will be. some natural catastrophe, the black swan event that no one can predict all these can make many, if not most of Burnham's promises difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill.

Hubris is a dangerous overconfidence. It often involves a delusion of invincibility, leading individuals to promises they cannot possibly keep, to ignore expert warnings, or take advice that does not suit them, These are usually the fatal flaws that bring down politicians. Hubris brought down Gordon Brown, it brought down David Cameron and it will assuredly bring down Andy Burnham, unless he is very very careful.

I spend a lot of my year in France where people I know like to talk about politics. It's embarrassing to hear them ask for the names of our PMs because they're at a loss to remember them. So you get,
The one who ordered the stupid Brexit vote and took you out?
The lady one who lasted all of a month?
The rude one who went home early during the DDay commemorations?
The current one?
The only one they remember the name of was Boris. Make of that what you will.
I think you're right Fallingstar, not one of them leaves a lasting impression for the right reasons or has the calibre needed to govern the country.

fancythat

I am adopting a wait and see.

That’s my take on it too.

I am adopting a wait and see.

It will be the media setting Burnham up to fail, and am heartily sick of the propensity for some to start going in for the kill already when Burnham hasn’t even kicked his shoes off since becoming PM.
Everyone is welcome to their opinions but let’s give the man a chance.

Goodness the level of name calling has rapidly reached new lows and do very very witty.

It is not that I am keen on him, it is just he is being over sold. He may well make a perfectly satisfactory Prime Minister, but by being set up as the answer to all Britain's ills, he is going to be a failure no matter how much he does because he will never do everything and will be seen for his failures.

Looking back, the one thing Churchill never did is promise more than he could possibley deliver. On the contrary he promised nothing and when he delivered an end to the war on our terms, he became a national hero. Burnham is being lined up as a hero before he has a chance to prove anything.

It was the same with David Cameron. He was the new young face of Conservatism, delivering economic growth and a new dawn for Britain, and we all know what happened to him.

M0nica

He is saying too much too soon, setting himself up for failure. He is not the Messiah but seems to think he is. With every new boast/promise, my hopes sink lower and lower.

He is rapidly convincing me that he is all mouth and no trousers.

Some are calling him the Messiah without a Mandate. 😉

Messiah, socialist dictator with a penchant for defenestrating former leaders - not very keen on our Andy are you Monica?

He is saying too much too soon, setting himself up for failure. He is not the Messiah but seems to think he is. With every new boast/promise, my hopes sink lower and lower.

He is rapidly convincing me that he is all mouth and no trousers.

I hope he does well, he is likeable and speaks well and just thank goodness someone new is leading. It would have been an absolute nightmare if Starmer had gone to the polls in 2 years, the Labour Party would have just imploded.

Most new PM speeches are good, but then reality takes over.
At least AB has some vision and passion and I liked what he said.
It can’t all be done without money and I think income tax should go up across the board.

westendgirl

I agree with you, Cossy. How will Burnham cope with many of the public wanting and expecting things to be put in place yesterday.
I see the media are already sharpening their pencils

You mean swords?

Graphite

We are where we are. Starmer and Labour were hounded by the media from 5 July 2024 and compounded that by making their own clumsy mistakes. Labour under Starmer did achieve some good things but failed to publicise them sufficiently.

As an old school socialist who just wants a fairer society and thinks it can be done, that we can afford it, Burnham’s speech just now brought tears to my eyes.

An end to rough sleeping and more council houses. Everybody deserves a decent and affordable roof over their head. Start there, fix the inequity over housing and all else follows.

👏👏👏👏👏

We are where we are. Starmer and Labour were hounded by the media from 5 July 2024 and compounded that by making their own clumsy mistakes. Labour under Starmer did achieve some good things but failed to publicise them sufficiently.

As an old school socialist who just wants a fairer society and thinks it can be done, that we can afford it, Burnham’s speech just now brought tears to my eyes.

An end to rough sleeping and more council houses. Everybody deserves a decent and affordable roof over their head. Start there, fix the inequity over housing and all else follows.

I agree with you, Cossy. How will Burnham cope with many of the public wanting and expecting things to be put in place yesterday.
I see the media are already sharpening their pencils

Cossy

Well, I’m sad to see the back of Starmer. He, in my view, was quite badly treated and should have been allowed to finish the job he was given.

However, we are where we are. Words are meaningless, let’s see what actions follow these words.

We simply have to give him a chance, we have no choice.

I agree with you Cossy.
But as you say it is what it is so now we have Burnham, let’s hope he is given a chance to actually do something good for the country and isn’t ousted before he gets a chance. He certainly can talk and so will be much better at communicating to the people what he is achieving whereas Starmer was far more quiet man politically.

Coronation

The media don't help calling for resignations all the time.

They keep digging up stuff.
Not just leaders but those around them too. Which doesnt at all help their case.
Especially if they "stand by them".

Personally, I think 7 PMs is mainly down to lack of morals.
[though I probably need a refresher course in why 7 PMs have gone. I had no idea it was that number, and cant think it was all because of how they behaved or how those around them behaved].

Well, I’m sad to see the back of Starmer. He, in my view, was quite badly treated and should have been allowed to finish the job he was given.

However, we are where we are. Words are meaningless, let’s see what actions follow these words.

We simply have to give him a chance, we have no choice.

What is obvious is that Burn’em has plotted to overthrow Starmer so let’s hope it was all for the good. Burn’em went to a lot of trouble to take control.

M0nica

The David Cameron of the Labour party. He can talk the talk, Can he walk the walk?

Well, we shall see, shan’t we?

I hope he can make some changes for the better.

The David Cameron of the Labour party. He can talk the talk, Can he walk the walk?

The media don't help calling for resignations all the time.