To think if Keir Starmer is ousted there should be a general election

The unions represent themselves. We’re in a situation where we have too many people only interested in personal power and gain

KS has gone but he delivered a good speech and I think it’s a shame. I hope AB will prove me wrong but I’m not hopeful he’s going to manage anything better - particularly if he makes Ed Milliband chancellor.

He’s already stated one of his key aims is to get young people off benefits and into employment. The trade unions represent working people.

I’m not sure burnham ticks any more boxes than Starmer - maybe just different ones.

this country is in a downward economic spiral and it’s going to be hard to reverse it - I don’t think burnham has suggested anything that makes me think he is going to be able to do any better

Yes a "doer" for benefit claimants and trade unions. His back bench will already be circling.

If you tallied up all of Starmer's initial decisions, I think he got a lot more right than wrong (not saying there havent been bad ones, mind). What he hasn't been able to do is convince enough of his party on the more difficult-to-swallow ones.

That is a shortcoming on his part though, given his hefty majority.

Others that he did push through, like means testing the winter fuel allowance, he u-turned on because of how unpopular they were, and how unpopular he has been. If he had more political capital, he could have held steady.

I feel a bit badly for him, tbh. He's been good on international affairs, and would probably have done just fine as PM in less economically challenging times. It's a charisma thing - you need bags of it, and the ability to lay out a confident vision for the future - in tougher times.

He's undeserving of the hate he's received, but does not tick all the boxes needed for the current moment.

Do you not know how this works?

27/28 is forecast to be £11m deficit, rising to £25m deficit in 28/29.

That’s because they inherited the Tory budget commitments for 25-26 set in April 25, before they took over in May 😂 They didn’t actually make those savings themselves. 26-27 will be more interesting.

He’s so good now because he’s been an incredibly successful, popular, and high profile mayor for Manchester. He has shown excellent leadership and really got things done up there. I actually like Starmer but I can see that he’s too clever clever to be popular - he’s the class swot basically. Burnham is a doer, and he’ll be visible about it.

As a floating voter who didn't vote for Labour (wouldn't have got my incumbent long-term MP out) I was happy to have a change to a Labour govt and some much needed subsequent changes.

Very disappointed I am and so many Labour voters must be thinking that even more. So I'm quite happy to give Burnham a go.

YABU OP, the electorate voted for a Labour Govt in the last GE, they're not even half way through their term, so I'd like to see how they operate with a more left-leaning leader.

Yes it is a rather long list. It’s shorter to make a list of countries the British haven’t invaded or attacked

We haven't the time. Maybe the top 100 ?

Go back through the country's warfare records.

Well that’s what Labour thought when the Tories were in power. But now it’s them they don’t seem to.

Problem with people in power is that they can do what they want and the qualities it takes to get into power are frequently grim.

Who would our enemies be, pray tell ?

All being viewed from our enemies who must be rubbing their hands. Now would be the time to strike in the absence of any serious leadership.

Why can't people be angry with both?

Are people really so angry with him personally though?

the Labour government has disappointed me because they are playing politics - all the u turns and the fear of their MPs leading to dithering. But this leadership battle is just more playing politics

wouldn’t it be great if at least one of the party’s could put the country first. This constant infighting is playing into reforms hands

we didn’t for the appalling Boris and truss who are the main reason the country is currently f*ed. my gut is no because I fear reform but thinking of truss I don’t think that nightmare would have happened with a GE. I can’t believe how angry people are with Starmer after what the Tory’s did

And nor should we have done, although Starmer and Rayner were very vocal at the time that we should!

Still, you were promised country first not party by Labour when they won in 2024…so another Labour ‘U’ turn ;)

Few of us are at the same place professionally as we were 11 years ago, and if we are, and have not honed our skills and gathered experience, we have done something wrong.
Burnham has had 11 years to develop as a politician, to consolidate his political position and to trial ideas in Manchester with great success.
The environment has also changed. He last lost to Corbyn, which indicates an appetite for a quite different approach in 2015 than now. He is approaching now with a proven record of success and a clearer message. And importantly, a message that is the one people want to hear.
We wouldn't say for any other job, you weren't right 11 years ago so you won't ever be right, would we? We'd allow that the years not only allow for professional development, but also that what's wanted in a candidate can change.

What taxes have gone up? Council tax has a lower increase this year than most other places.

He lost 2 leadership elections. If he wasn't good enough then, why is he so good now?

To quote Brenda from Bristol “What, another one? You’ve got to be joking”

Much lols