We're not stable - it's a bloody mess otherwise we wouldn't be here. Everything that is happening now is the result of Starmer and Reeves making a hash of running the country.
Throwing money at an economy with zero idea of how it will effect inflation, or Yes, Govts can create money, it can't however, control the price, seems to me like it would probs be 'making a hash of it'
All I'm saying is can they please not stab the half decent thing in the back.
Sure but I am not sure what that has to do with a)the left and b)Starmer.
In case you havent noticed its the centre right sticking the knife in right now.
As for Starmer managing even half decent. I would suggest thats a stretch.
Otherwise in 3 years time they'll be out of government and blaming Starmer because he was just asking to be stabbed.
Or, as a radical idea, because he was an idiot who picked fights with the left whilst kissing the rights arse for whom he would never be able to give what they want because they want is a fantasy world based around Thatcher.
There was a young man called Wes Streeting
whose leadership bid was quite fleeting...
The number were grim
I've run out of ryhmes, someone finish it.
the odds were slim
and duly he received his beating
The number were grim
so starmer held on by a limb?
I am about as good at poetry as Streeting is at mounting a coup. Must have been awkward when he turned to those 80 mps who had publicly said its time for a leadership contest and went "are you behind me" only to be met by awkward silence and shuffling feet. Then asked the others only to met by even more silence.
I assume its on hold now unless Burnham gets a seat somewhere. Since I cant see how Farage wont be found in breach for that 5 million I think Labour should push for ten days suspension, then push for recall and have a Burnham Farage matchup in Clacton.
What could go wrong?
If Burnham beat farage in Clacton, then he'd deserve to be PM!
STreeting does seem to have missfired, though he is calling for a long enough contest to give burnham enough time to try and find a seat
Its remarkable that Streeting is so unpopular already with the PLP that the poll up there has him losing quite heavily to Starmer!
I do hope he enjoys the next couple of months of utterly self-destructive infighting
Pretty obvious what's happened. He's realised that this is not his time as he won't win a leadership election (see polling figures with him head to head with Starmer), but by resigning and forcing Starmer to accept the game is up he's positioning himself for a big job in the new govt (probably Chancellor or Home Sec) so he can come back in a few years either when Labour lose in 2029 or later if they hang on. He has lots of time on his side and I fully expect we'll now see him saying nice respectful things about Burnham.
The good news is that it now looks like Labour is heading in a leftwards direction and we might now see some policies and action which materially improves the lives of working people. If that all happens then I'll have changed my mind about Streeting and be thankful for the part he's played in it.
There was a young man called Wes Streeting
whose leadership bid was quite fleeting...
The number were grim
But that didnt bother him
His ego was simply world-beating
Streeting is a ****ing little weasel.
The good news is that it now looks like Labour is heading in a leftwards direction
dunno what nakes you think that. None of the candidates are of the left
He's realised that this is not his time as he won't win a leadership election (see polling figures with him head to head with Starmer), but by resigning and forcing Starmer to accept the game is up he's positioning himself for a big job in the new govt
I think you are overrating him. My guess was he thought he really did have enough support that he could push for a contest now before Burnham could get a seat. Hence a few allies resigning to try and up the pressure and get everyone to rally behind his campaign.
When that failed he was left with either pretending it was nothing to do with him or alternately taking the approach he has.
What does Streeting think this is going to do? He's nobody's favourite for, well, anything. As shown in the poll above, he's not even 1/2 as popular as Starmer.
backstabbing, weasly s**t.
Indeed.
This analysis of the locals vote is quite good
chasing those reform voters was , as we know, utterly pointless
50p says Starmer makes Raynor the Health Secretary...
You think she's going to accept a post in a dead-duck cabinet? She'd look pretty bloody stupid if she did. Think all that happens next is Starmer clinging on til Burnham gets himself into parliament. Unless more cabinet members resign, that's the only thing that will force him to go. Who knows maybe Starmer will do the honourable thing and admit defeat but I doubt it given how he's dug in already.
Think all that happens next is Starmer clinging on til Burnham gets himself into parliament.
If Burnham can get a seat and if there's actually a leadership contest he can enter and if he gets the 81 sigs needed in time.
but by resigning and forcing Starmer to accept the game is up
The time to do that was a couple of days ago, when the other (minor) govt secretaries (who're clearly Wes supporters hoping that they get a juicy position in any new cabinet) resigned. Now, everyone knows Wes wants to run for leadership, and everyone knows that he hasn't got the numbers (otherwise he'd have done something by now). Streeting has had to resign otherwise he looks like an even bigger idiot that he does now.
If Burnham beat farage in Clacton, then he'd deserve to be PM!
Precisely. I think it is an absolute genius. However, full disclosure, I have had a busy couple of days advising Streeting on his coup attempt and reassuring him it would definitely succeed.
though he is calling for a long enough contest to give burnham enough time to try and find a seat
I dont give him any credit for this on the grounds I dont believe that was his plan. This is trying to appear gracious in defeat.
The good news is that it now looks like Labour is heading in a leftwards direction and we might now see some policies and action which materially improves the lives of working people.
Which is great. Until you realise that outside of the STW bubble the UK is, as it keeps proving, right leaning. As much as many people on this thread (myself included) would like a left leaning government, the UK electorate has proved consistently over the last 30 ish years that it doesn't want that.
Now I accept this leaves Labour in a tricky position, a position that Starmer has tried (and failed?) to occupy, but I'm just not sure heading left is going to keep Labour relevant.
50p says Starmer makes Raynor the Health Secretary...
Let's hope so. They really need her in a top role... IMHO.
Which is great. Until you realise that outside of the STW bubble the UK is, as it keeps proving, right leaning. As much as many people on this thread (myself included) would like a left leaning government, the UK electorate has proved consistently over the last 30 ish years that it doesn't want that.
Now I accept this leaves Labour in a tricky position, a position that Starmer has tried (and failed?) to occupy, but I'm just not sure heading left is going to keep Labour relevant.
Is that really because "we" don't want more "left leaning" policies, or just that whenever anyone emerges as a lefty with aspirations on government its either (a) not just a lean to the left but an entire leap OR (b) the person is a crackpot OR both? Was John Smith left leaning? I can't think of anyone else in my lifetime who isn't not labelled as "centre right" who actually was credibly Prime Ministerial and pragmatic rather than an idealist? I don't know if Burnham fits that brief but IF he can coalesce everyone centre and left he'd keep the whackier bits of the right out - and we might not unite behind everything but surely we they can get over their differences if it blocks Farage Fanatics and Tragic Tory rejects?
Is that really because "we" don't want more "left leaning" policies, or just that whenever anyone emerges as a lefty with aspirations on government its either (a) not just a lean to the left but an entire leap OR (b) the person is a crackpot OR both
Could be both or neither. But we seem OK with people who are "right leaning", who are looking at a jump to the right and/or a crackpot. In fact, we've often elected them.
As I say, historically, the country leans right, irrelevant of which party or politician is in charge.
well
https://bsky.app/profile/theguardian.com/post/3mltaekt2cg25
if Burnham doesn't win this seat what happens next ?
Just how safe is any seat right now?
if Burnham doesn't win this seat what happens next ?
Mildly surprised by this. I would have thought Burnham would have left it for a while. I guess the wheels had been set in motion to try and counter Streetings bid?
If he wins I would expect a leadership contest shortly afterwards.
If he loses then I would expect one next year when Starmer makes some random other unforced ****up and enough labour mps get annoyed enough to spin the wheel. At which point who knows who will go in. Streeting definitely, Starmer probably, Rayner maybe and Miliband probably not unless he figures its the best way of blocking Streeting.
Plus any outsiders. Dan Jarvis used to be mentioned as the leadership contender on the vague "ex military and hence something" grounds" and who only ever gets mentioned as a leadership choice but he now seems to have been replaced by Al Carns for that role.
its an interesting question - but in the last week every single party leader has said Keir should be replaced. Here's the one guy likely to actually bring that change about - blocking him would be tantamount to saying stick with Starmer. So it could be a short term coup to beat him in a safe seat but if the media got the message across that you left the country stuck with Starmer it might not be a long term win. Unless of course you were really worried that a new leader would stop you winning the next election.Just how safe is any seat right now?
Mildly surprised by this. I would have thought Burnham would have left it for a while. I guess the wheels had been set in motion to try and counter Streetings bid?
Depends - if you want to show the population rather than the party that you actually are a vehicle for change: the you need to be able to be elected, become leader and make changes before an election which you'll want to have some say in selecting when it happens.
Thanks Andy, almost guarantees we'll have a Reform mayor
great news.
do any of the parties have a credible "personality" ? its always struck me that mayors were elected for being "likeable" and specific local policy issues rather than necessarily the colour of the rosette? Of course reform are the masters of bringing out a big personality with unfulfillable promises... but there is a guy who has previous Mayorial experience who would fit the bill too. And I think he's currently unemployed?Thanks Andy, almost guarantees we'll have a Reform mayor
great news.
I'll be astonished if Burnham can secure Makerfield in a bi-election in the current climate. He has a reputation for wanting the UK to become closer to Europe (good) in a constituency where two thirds voted leave (not so good). Reform reamed Labour in the council elections in the area.
It's just lobbing the frog another tasty morsel.
He’ll lose that bye election.
If Lib Dem’s or Greens were the second party he may stand a chance but Reform and Conservatives comfortably outnumber any other left of centre party.
Utterly futile navel gazing exercise. Some marginally positive economic and health service, signs things are going in the right direction whilst the Labour big beasts have a punch up.
Reform couldn't have planned it better.
Massive strategic error from Burnham, there's no way he'd avoid a hung parliament in the next GE, he'd be better coming in after and starting from there
Oh dear this isnt going to end well. And that's in the context of things already being pretty shit. Even this all works, and that's a very big if, how long before reality comes crashing in and in becomes apparent Burnham is as impotent as everyone else, it'll just push even more people to the loony fringes.
Why would he get selected for this seat if he failed to get a selection for Gorton?
Why would he get selected for this seat if he failed to get a selection for Gorton?
He didnt "fail". He was blocked by Starmer/Labour national council.
However Starmer and friends control over the Labour council has slipped/realised the inevitable and so he will now be allowed.
Probably.
I admit it would be hilarious if he was blocked again but thats just my dubious sense of humour.
Because the central party blocked him standing. Indications this time is he won't be blocked.
What's the timeline for a by-election? If streeting triggers a leadership contest now, Burnham is what? 6 weeks away from being eligible? Surely Andy has got to be pulling Wes, and Rayner, into his fold and the contest doesn't happen until Andy rocks up in Westminster. Once prodigal son like he arrives, surely kier steps aside. Andy and wes walk arm in arm down downing Street to 10 and 11, Angela chooses...dep pm, HO, or whatever.
What's the timeline for a by-election?
Couple of months. Hence why Streeting wanted to trigger the contest now. He failed and the other main possibilities (Rayner and Miliband) seem to be in Burnhams camp so we get to wait.
Andy and wes walk arm in arm down downing Street to 10 and 11
This seems unlikely. Supposedly Miliband is interested in being chancellor. Regardless it seems unlikely Burnham will easily reconcile with Streeting.
Because the central party blocked him standing. Indications this time is he won't be blocked.
The reason given (because he's a mayor and has to get permission) was that It avoids the cost and time to the public purse. How is that still not an option?
Interestingly the seat that apparently is going to made available to him (Makerfeild)- had all it's wards go to Reform in the locals only last week. I'm pretty sure that 5000 seat majority has just disappeared.
^different candidate who is seen as anti starmer. Previous results don't count for much.
So a Burnham/ Rayner joint ticket then. Maybe with Milliband as Chancellor. That combo will walk it with the Labour party membership against Streeting.
But....Burnham is gambling a huge amount on his personal reputation carrying him over the line in Makerfield. I guess it depends on how much of the local election result was anti-Starmer rather than actively pro-reform.
