Burnham has won. More turmoil?

Well I’ve always loved Burnham personally and wish him all the best, he’d be a fantastic PM.

Being snubbed by Trump is a good thing. Who'd want to be mates with him?!

From what I remember Labour were very much emphasising that it would take time to turn things around and anyone could see that the tories had left the country in a right state.

I’m not saying that Labour haven’t made some fuck ups and tried to push through unpopular policies, but any government has to change its plans as a reaction to external circumstances and influences.

Absolutely agree,conservatives destroyed everything for their personal selfish gains. It’s ridiculous to expect that undone any time soon!

I quite like Streeting and thought he did a reasonably good job as Health sec. He's also more to the right of Burnham but would bring a more centric approach that I think Labour need. Socialist Burnham isn't the answer. He's going to sink us further with giving trade unions what they want. It's going to be a period of more misery on middle income earners until Burnham is inevitably ousted. I want to see what he will do with the defence budget.

Good chance the junior doctors will be on their 9th strike over the insulting 30-odd % pay rise. Clap, clap.

Some posters have mentioned Andy’s values, not sure what they are as they have changed many times over the years.

@TheOliveWriterthe one’s with cushy 9-5 office roles, many of whom aren’t needed! Obviously not the same!!

Banding together would not have helped you on this occasion, as Burnham would have won regardless.

If Burnham hadn't been able to win in that particular constituency, then Labour would have been in very real trouble indeed. However, I don't think we can necessarily assume that Burnham will have the same effect in the rest of the country.

The other bit that we don't really know is how much the vote was for Burnham and how much was against Reform.

That isn’t sexism. Or racism.

I used to think this until recently. But the latest resignations on the question of defence has tipped the balance for me and I want him to go now too.

It does seem a dangerous time and he was being told by experts that we need to put more money into defence.

People talk about that period as though it was the Dark Ages. Such nonsense.

That government was actually just living within it's means which is something all governments should do.

Using the word "austerity" to cover this period is a complete misuse of language. More importantly it minimises the impact of the genuine austerity that people have faced at other times in history.

As much as I wish this wasn’t necessary- I’m pleased about the result.

At this point I see the threat of an extreme right wing government lead by Farage to be existential. This was the only route I can see they might prevent it.

They should have chosen Burnham as leader when they had the chance years ago instead of Milliband!

How incredibly sexist and racist

Oh, God, not the nasal voice, please!

I hope we don’t have a sad face life story every time he takes to the podium about his father’s job and how he was brought up in a hovel. It gets a bit wearing

Why do you not want people to better themselves and have some personal responsibility? It’s no wonder the country is in a mess. People thrive on being dependent on the state. It has to end.

Angela Rayner obviously.

Well who else have they got?

That doesn’t explain the vote share though as fewer than 20% of the population pay more tax than they receive back in either benefits or value of services.

You need to be earning well over 50k as a childless individual to not be a burden on the state and over 100k if you have children.

That can be the only reason for the vote. The vast majority are voting for an ever dwindling minority to subsidise them. We are a welfare state with an economy tagged on to it. It won’t end well.

I think if Reform are to have any chance of winning a GE they need to find better candidates than the one from Makerfield with horrible comments about women buried in his social media just waiting to be uncovered by the media. A lesson for Farage.

Women are 50% of the electorate, at least.

I wanted Burnham to win as he seemed the best of a bad bunch. But I don’t really think he can do a better job as prime minister than Starmer so it’s all a big waste of money really. Personally I would rather see Streeting in charge but Burnham seems more popular amongst those eligible to vote for PM.

Glad Burnham won. I’ve thought for years that he’s the best person for PM job as he reflects labour values.
also glad reform got beat!

He has a lot to prove.

So far he is showing all the signs of just being another twist in the wind politician with no strong personal convictions.

The number of times he's changed his view on something in the course of the by election campaign is evidence of this.

I think he is just going to tax more, spend more on benefits, fail to secure our defence and law and order and pander to his left wing ideology driven buddies in matters of employment and education.

Thus leading the nation further into decline.

I genuinely hope I am wrong but I see zero evidence.

Indeed.