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Original poster

To find Andy Burnham’s sudden rise to the top odd?

391 replies

GarlicBiscuits · 29/06/2026 19:32

A few weeks ago, I’d never heard of this man. A few weeks ago, he wasn’t even an MP.

Yet suddenly, he’s everywhere and going to be our next prime minister? What qualifies him for this role? It seems that all the Labour MPs love him. Why?

The whole situation is very odd to me… I’m not sure it’ll do Labour any favors at all.

OP posts:
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6
LiveLuvLaugh · 01/07/2026 19:22

He’s been a high profile figure in the Labour Party for years. He ran for the Labour leadership before (wiki tellls me 2010 came 4th, and 2015 came second). He hasn’t come out of nowhere but I’m really interested that you think this. Does it make you trust him more or less?

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 01/07/2026 19:18

GiaGia16 · 01/07/2026 18:40

Burnham won’t keep Reform out of Downing Street, country is far too disillusioned for that.

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Surely the people of this country are not stupid and credulous enough to vote for this grifter. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8dg3883g7o

A large poster depicts Nigel Farage holding a gold coin and smiling. Above him there is a tagline that reads: "Nigel Farage recommends Direct Bullion". An image of his signature is underneath.

Nigel Farage declares earning £270,000 for gold bullion promotions

The Reform UK leader says the payment from Direct Bullion was for work amounting to four hours per month for a three-month period.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8dg3883g7o

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 19:07

GiaGia16 · 01/07/2026 18:49

Makerfield not representative as I’m sure you know. Apart from Makerfield there haven’t been any recent by-elections..

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Gorton and Denton - Greens win
Caerphilly - Plaid win
Aberdeen - Tory win
Arbroath - SNP win
Makerfield - Labour win

Not a single Reform win in sight.

BrandiedAromatics · 01/07/2026 18:52

GiaGia16 · 01/07/2026 18:49

Makerfield not representative as I’m sure you know. Apart from Makerfield there haven’t been any recent by-elections..

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Yes, there were but you are right - it is like saying the Tories kept them out of Aberdeen South.

GiaGia16 · 01/07/2026 18:49

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 18:44

He kept them out of Makerfield. How many by-elections have they won recently?

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Makerfield not representative as I’m sure you know. Apart from Makerfield there haven’t been any recent by-elections..

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 18:44

GiaGia16 · 01/07/2026 18:40

Burnham won’t keep Reform out of Downing Street, country is far too disillusioned for that.

Show quote history

He kept them out of Makerfield. How many by-elections have they won recently?

GiaGia16 · 01/07/2026 18:40

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 17:19

I’m pro anyone who is likely to keep Farage out of Downing Street. Currently Burnham is the best bet. Frankly I’m bloody tired of having to constantly repeat this.

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Burnham won’t keep Reform out of Downing Street, country is far too disillusioned for that.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 18:36

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 18:35

Don’t hold your breath.

And yet, you are still engaging with me…

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 18:35

Don’t hold your breath.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 18:33

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 18:17

I’m not engaging with you any more on this subject. I’m tired of you it.

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I hear you, seriously.

Take a break - I will be here when you are ready to re-engage!

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 18:17

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 17:35

If Burnham is currently the best bet, as you say - who is/was your second choice?

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I’m not engaging with you any more on this subject. I’m tired of you it.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 17:35

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 17:19

I’m pro anyone who is likely to keep Farage out of Downing Street. Currently Burnham is the best bet. Frankly I’m bloody tired of having to constantly repeat this.

Show quote history

If Burnham is currently the best bet, as you say - who is/was your second choice?

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 17:19

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 11:56

Ok, so - for the sake of posterity, please.

Are you emphatically pro-Burnham, or?

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I’m pro anyone who is likely to keep Farage out of Downing Street. Currently Burnham is the best bet. Frankly I’m bloody tired of having to constantly repeat this.

Locutus2000 · 01/07/2026 17:19

poetryandwine · 01/07/2026 17:11

Thank you for emphasising that dealing with the grooming gangs was no part of AB’s HO remit. PPs warning ominously of nothing specific with no facts in their corner are just making a transparent attempt to stir the pot.

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It's because they are fucking terrified of the bloke. He has few skeletons and has been preparing for the job his whole life. People are feeling some hope again.

poetryandwine · 01/07/2026 17:11

TemperanceWest · 01/07/2026 09:52

@JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods asked

Why on earth would he have played a “part” in grooming gangs?

You replied

"FGS in terms of his conduct whilst in the HO"

But now you can't back that up. My feeling is that you are just mindlessly spewing Reform attack lines. No surprise there.

BTW AB's HO portfolio had nothing to do with grooming gangs afaics.

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you for emphasising that dealing with the grooming gangs was no part of AB’s HO remit. PPs warning ominously of nothing specific with no facts in their corner are just making a transparent attempt to stir the pot.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 16:57

Okaaaaaay, so that’s hardly a ringing endorsement of our Andy, then.

SpringSunshines · 01/07/2026 11:58

It would be interesting to see a job description and person spec for the role of Prime Minister.

I guess its possible in this internet based world
that the ‘personal communication style’ element on such a document is different to what was needed prior but I worry that’s has become the overriding requirement.

On the other hand if we need sound bite type ‘leader’ it is imperative that the followers - those heading government departments have the necessary subject matter substance and grit or we are going to spiral further.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 11:56

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 11:21

There was no need to “correct” it. You told us he worked there for a year. You neglected to mention that it was in a junior role unconnected with grooming gangs.

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Ok, so - for the sake of posterity, please.

Are you emphatically pro-Burnham, or?

BIossomtoes · 01/07/2026 11:21

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 10:35

Claim?

Reread my posts. Meanwhile, another poster asserted that Burnham never worked for the HO - they have not corrected that wrongful statement.

There was no need to “correct” it. You told us he worked there for a year. You neglected to mention that it was in a junior role unconnected with grooming gangs.

TemperanceWest · 01/07/2026 11:19

EasternStandard · 01/07/2026 11:02

True. Not long ago the same people were adamant Starmer would stay, and Labour didn’t change leaders.

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Very true on both points. I thought Starmer would stay (although not once Mandelson happened. It was clear from that point Starmer was done) and I didn't want Labour to go down the Tory route of ditching PMs.

I don't like what has happened one little bit and I don't particularly like Burnham or what he has done. But that doesn't mean Reform-inspired claims about him should not be challenged 😊.

Burnham could be Labour's biggest mistake or the best thing that could have happened. We shall see.

EasternStandard · 01/07/2026 11:02

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 10:16

Don’t be like that, TW.

I don’t recall many predicting Rayner’s troubles, or Starmer’s demise - in fact, they used similar language to yours just now.

And yet here we are.

Remember, anything is possible in politics, as this Labour government have amply demonstrated.

Show quote history

True. Not long ago the same people were adamant Starmer would stay, and Labour didn’t change leaders.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 10:35

Claim?

Reread my posts. Meanwhile, another poster asserted that Burnham never worked for the HO - they have not corrected that wrongful statement.

TemperanceWest · 01/07/2026 10:31

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 10:16

Don’t be like that, TW.

I don’t recall many predicting Rayner’s troubles, or Starmer’s demise - in fact, they used similar language to yours just now.

And yet here we are.

Remember, anything is possible in politics, as this Labour government have amply demonstrated.

Show quote history

As I said. You can't back up your claim.

Bullandbear · 01/07/2026 10:16

TemperanceWest · 01/07/2026 09:52

@JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods asked

Why on earth would he have played a “part” in grooming gangs?

You replied

"FGS in terms of his conduct whilst in the HO"

But now you can't back that up. My feeling is that you are just mindlessly spewing Reform attack lines. No surprise there.

BTW AB's HO portfolio had nothing to do with grooming gangs afaics.

Edited
Show quote history

Don’t be like that, TW.

I don’t recall many predicting Rayner’s troubles, or Starmer’s demise - in fact, they used similar language to yours just now.

And yet here we are.

Remember, anything is possible in politics, as this Labour government have amply demonstrated.

WildLeader · 01/07/2026 09:55

GarlicBiscuits · 29/06/2026 19:32

A few weeks ago, I’d never heard of this man. A few weeks ago, he wasn’t even an MP.

Yet suddenly, he’s everywhere and going to be our next prime minister? What qualifies him for this role? It seems that all the Labour MPs love him. Why?

The whole situation is very odd to me… I’m not sure it’ll do Labour any favors at all.

Haha. Like others have said, your ignorance is no reason to start a thread.