Page 18 | To think Andy Burnham is smug?

HelenaWaiting · 22/06/2026 14:32

GilesTurnbull · 22/06/2026 12:30

He does look impermeable and not very bright. I’m holding out zero hope.

He's a Cambridge graduate FFS. I know it's hard to believe, but there are intelligent Northerners.

Fallbuy · 22/06/2026 14:28

CovenOfCheeses · 22/06/2026 14:25

I don’t like his haircut and he is not fanceable, I k ow most mumsnetters would agree. I would only like someone hunky to run the country.

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I disagree. Andy could integrate my transport system any time he liked, even during off peak hours.

FairyBatman · 22/06/2026 14:27

operationplaytime · 22/06/2026 14:24

He’s got no upper lip and suspicious eyebrows. I don’t trust him at all

That might be the most Mumsnet thing I’ve ever read. Make sure you log his suspicious eyebrows with 101 🤣😉

Sewciopath · 22/06/2026 14:26

CovenOfCheeses · 22/06/2026 14:25

I don’t like his haircut and he is not fanceable, I k ow most mumsnetters would agree. I would only like someone hunky to run the country.

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I'd let him spit in my mouth.

WhatNextImScared · 22/06/2026 14:25

GilesTurnbull · 22/06/2026 12:30

He does look impermeable and not very bright. I’m holding out zero hope.

i don’t think you can measure someone’s intelligence by their face

CovenOfCheeses · 22/06/2026 14:25

Lyra25 · 22/06/2026 12:28

To think Andy Burnham is smug and presumptuous. Just that really and I have no particular political preference, disillusioned with the lot!

I don’t like his haircut and he is not fanceable, I k ow most mumsnetters would agree. I would only like someone hunky to run the country.

Fallbuy · 22/06/2026 14:24

I’ve heard some people down south interviewed and they talk about Burnham like he’s some sort of alien, from a far off and unknowable land. Are they really that sheltered?

operationplaytime · 22/06/2026 14:24

He’s got no upper lip and suspicious eyebrows. I don’t trust him at all

tabbycat897 · 22/06/2026 14:23

Labour was voted in by an electorate who was sick and tired of the tories and their inability to deliver what they had promised. They snuck in under a very centrist manifesto based upon growth and stability and have delivered the opposite. The country is understandably fed up so now they want to bring in Andy through the back door because he has more of a "personality" - I have no idea what he believes in or what "change" he plans to bring to the country. This feels like a government coup to me and "King of the North" Andy has no mandate. I am sure he's a nice guy and I believe he was quite good at spending money on buses in Manchester but there is zero evidence that he can fix this country.

HelenaWaiting · 22/06/2026 14:22

Lyra25 · 22/06/2026 12:35

Why should he be? He’d be an unelected one and on what manifesto?

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You know you're not going to have everything your own way, right? No matter how much twisting and turning you do to find something to whinge about. Deal with it. You'll be happier.

TRS20 · 22/06/2026 14:21

I’m really happy to give him a chance actually

Sewciopath · 22/06/2026 14:20

Lyra25 · 22/06/2026 14:15

They are behaving the same as the tories, and it’s the last thing we need. And I’m sorry but he does look smug. An usurper is not going to be popular with all

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Just say you hate Northerners and be done with it.

Andy B is 2 things that Mumsnet hates. Northern and Catholic.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 22/06/2026 14:18

AmberSpy · 22/06/2026 12:29

Shall we let the man have five minutes in office before we start tearing him to shreds?

This is what I came in to say.

Whether he is the next PM or if someone else steps in, we need to give them something of a chance.

The rest of the world is laughing at us.

Allseeingallknowing · 22/06/2026 14:18

GoneWithTHeWindJammers · 22/06/2026 14:00

Reform will win the next GE. That is is now a given. Andy Burnham is being brought in to ensure that Labour are at least the main opposition party.

It’s certainly not a given, judging by their latest candidate!

Original poster

Lyra25 · 22/06/2026 14:15

Greenleavesandsunshine · 22/06/2026 14:11

@Lyra25 Yes you are correct politics has turned into a popularity contest and people approach it simplistically. That doesn’t mean they should, that doesn’t mean you should wave your ignorance like a flag, that doesn’t mean it’s right.
People approach it simplistically many of us do our best to point out how the system works, you may have given up but I haven’t.

They are behaving the same as the tories, and it’s the last thing we need. And I’m sorry but he does look smug. An usurper is not going to be popular with all

OP posts:

CharlotteSometimes1 · 22/06/2026 14:14

Yes we’ve had a lack of political stability in recent years with a number od different prime ministers, which most people would agree isn’t ideal. What we need is a some consistency and a safe pair of hands. I’ve never known a time when the PM is universally liked, it’s impossible, so could we please give Andy Burnham a chance. Rather than finding some gotcha reasons to knock him, in the interest of stability and the good of our country could we get behind him and try to get ourselves out of these hard times. I’ve been a member of the Labour Party in the past, but I’d even vote Tory if I felt the leader could actually lead after the mess we’ve been in over the last decade (I draw the line at Reform though).

JimBobsWife · 22/06/2026 14:13

Sartre · 22/06/2026 14:11

I think Andy and Boris are different animals for many reasons. At least Andy has a moral compass.

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Yes, all it will take to solve the UK's problems is a moral compass. Good point, why didn't I think of that.

JimBobsWife · 22/06/2026 14:12

GilesTurnbull · 22/06/2026 14:05

Heh heh. Sorry. I couldn’t resist. The comment about labour leaders being white was so utterly puerile. All that ‘give the talentless a leg up for the sake of box ticking DEI’ is so detrimental in every way, I had to send it up. Apologies to your blood pressure.

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You got me there! 😂

Sartre · 22/06/2026 14:11

JimBobsWife · 22/06/2026 14:01

Boris was very very popular as London mayor.

It's not hard to be popular as mayor, you don't usually have to make very difficult decisions that piss a lot of people off.

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I think Andy and Boris are different animals for many reasons. At least Andy has a moral compass.

Allseeingallknowing · 22/06/2026 14:11

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 22/06/2026 13:48

He's a back-stabbing weasel. Not someone I want as PM.

Proof?

Greenleavesandsunshine · 22/06/2026 14:11

@Lyra25 Yes you are correct politics has turned into a popularity contest and people approach it simplistically. That doesn’t mean they should, that doesn’t mean you should wave your ignorance like a flag, that doesn’t mean it’s right.
People approach it simplistically many of us do our best to point out how the system works, you may have given up but I haven’t.

Allseeingallknowing · 22/06/2026 14:10

GilesTurnbull · 22/06/2026 13:18

It would it be great if they could find a poc and put them in as leader, even if there’s no-one suitable. Just having a darker skin colour person in charge would placate a lot of people, regardless of their ability.

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Isn’t that reverse racism?

FairyBatman · 22/06/2026 14:08

He is a bit smug but have you ever met a politician that wasn’t?

FWIW I worked for him although not directly and I think he’s OK and does have people’s best interests in mind.

Favouritefruits · 22/06/2026 14:08

GilesTurnbull · 22/06/2026 12:36

I don’t think anyone wants him for pm. Ticking has started till he’s out.

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I do! I really like Burnham I think he will be great 😊

Greenleavesandsunshine · 22/06/2026 14:07

@midwalker No we don’t vote for a party. You vote for your MP, the person NOT the party. That’s why MPs can cross the floor with no by election. Voters need to understand who their MP is as some votes are not whipped, like assisted dying. Some MPs vote against their party or may have a different opinion on a key issue like Rosie Duffield for example.
Other countries do have frequent changes of PM or government, Italy being the most famous although Bulgaria comes close. Other European countries have continuity of PM with a changing government. What is clear is the U.K. needs to understand no PM from any party is going to solve our problems in 5 years with no pain. It’s going to hurt and it’s going to take time.