This article is worth a read;
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/hate-burnham-furious-khan-team-starmer-labour-mayors-clash-2500543
While I was in town yesterday afternoon, I noticed an election declaration posted up on a council notice board, showing the result of a poll for a Town Councillor for Chippenham Sheldon Ward, which is mine. There were only three candidates, Conservative, Independent and Liberal Democrats.
Conservative - 127
Independent - 112
Liberal Democrats - 481
Number of ballots rejected - 7
I’d say that’s a pretty comprehensive ass-kicking for the Tories! 😁
Our last mayor was a Lib Dem, I spoke to her, but I don’t know who the current one is aligned to.
There was also a notice of an election for a town councillor, for a ward that’s adjacent to mine, and that’s pretty much all new developments, so I’ll keep an eye on how that goes.
Just checked, and our current mayor is a Lib Dem, and it’s his fourth term in office, and the deputy mayor was our previous mayor, the lass I spoke to, also Lib Dem. 😎
Has to be said, Labour really don’t get much support in these parts, it’s traditionally a Conservative stronghold.
Possibly not for much longer.
But I’d argue Andy Burnham seems quite non-aligned, or primarily aligned with what’s best for Manchester.
I'd argue that he is interested in whats best for Burnham. A classic wethervane politician
Am I right in thinking that Scotland doesn't have mayors and certainly not the elected variety?
Does the provost/convenor model work well and would local government benefit from public elections as Reform Scotland have suggested?
But I’d argue Andy Burnham seems quite non-aligned, or primarily aligned with what’s best for Manchester.
I’d argue that he is interested in whats best for Burnham. A classic wethervane politician
A little too cynical IMO.
He has the luxury of a bit of distance and freedom from the national party apparatus, and plenty of work he can be getting on with in GM - where he won't have to toe the party line on every issue.
Yes he's a self-interested politician and yes he's obviously positioning himself for a future leadership bid.
But he's probably the best candidate for it when you take everything into account, and his current semi-detached position will only benefit him in the medium and longer term IMO.
