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AIBU?

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Original poster

Andy Burnham - how can this be allowed?

557 replies

Boopybop · 15/05/2026 10:21

I know that there is a long way to go over the coming weeks, with by-elections and leadership challenges. But fundamentally - how can it be right that a man who was not even a candidate in the General Election, was therefore not voted for in the General Election - become Prime Minister? Effectively, the people of Makerfield are selecting the country’s new Prime Minister (as it is pretty obvious that AB would win a leadership contest).

This feels wholly undemocratic in every way.

AIBU - Andy Burnham has every right to become PM

AINBU - it is not right that a by-election in Makerfield can determine who the next Prime Minister will be

OP posts:
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5
Paytovote · 15/05/2026 10:28

YANBU and I am two steps away from starting a national brigading campaign.

User1998776 · 15/05/2026 10:28

I dont think he will win the seat 😅 then itll be reform there AND a refom mayor...

Original poster
Boopybop · 15/05/2026 10:27

Oh - I have been paying a huge amount of attention thanks, and I fully understand the process. However, the fact is that the people of Makerfield are likely to choose the next Prime Minister. A person who didn’t even stand in the ‘actual’ General Election. Just does not sit right with me at all.

Let’s face it - yes, the process is that in a GE - you vote for your local MP. In reality though, in a GE - people are voting for who will be the next Prime Minister. Andy Burnham was not voted for in the General Election.

OP posts:
ButterYellowFlowers · 15/05/2026 10:26

Because we’re not American and we don’t vote for leaders! We vote for parties and what that party does within itself is for members of that party to decide.

Firstbornunicorn · 15/05/2026 10:26

There is no guarantee he will win the seat.

TheFairyCaravan · 15/05/2026 10:25

We don’t elect a PM though. We elect our own MP

anniegun · 15/05/2026 10:24

I dont think you understand how our democratic process works. Every prime minister is also elected as an MP by a relatively small number of people in one constituency. Have you not been paying attention as we have cycled through an endless number of PMs in the last few years

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