Page 8 | To find Andy Burnham’s sudden rise to the top odd?

GarlicBiscuits · 2026-06-29T18:32:03+00:00

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.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 30/06/2026 09:35

How can you never have heard of him until recently? Do you not read or listen to/watch any news?

Only a few months ago it was a big news item that he’d been blocked for standing as a Labour MP in a different seat, and he’s been well known for years now as the successful mayor of Manchester.

I’m in SW London and certainly not the sort of person who’s glued to TV or any other news, but I was well aware of him years ago.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 30/06/2026 09:35

EveryKneeShallBow · 29/06/2026 19:40

Nevertheless, I agree his sudden Messianic elevation is odd. It’s going to be a hard one to live up to.

This has arisen because Starmer blocked him standing as a candidate in the Gorton and Denton bi-election recently, presumably because he knew then what a threat he would. Labour lost that (very longstanding) seat. He couldn't do that twice and retain any credibility.

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:33

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:28

It is always good to link to your source

I have linked to that source on several occasions previously - Boris Johnson was not responsible for the 2008 financial crash and aftermath.

Show quote history

To add, Labour's Chief Secretary to the Treasury left a note during Boris Johnson's first term as London Mayor;

"Dear [incoming] Chief Secretary, I'm afraid there is no money...

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:31

Anarchy99 · 30/06/2026 09:28

But his supporters do get quite ‘overheated’. It isn’t a reflection on him as such. I too hope he does a good job.

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I haven't seen anyone get "overheated". But political discussions on MN are always very lively.

BrandiedAromatics · 30/06/2026 09:30

@TemperanceWest I don't like what AB he has done one bit and I don't particularly like him generally. But I still hope he does a good job and he is infinitely preferable to Farage.

In a nutshell. Thanks and yes.

BIossomtoes · 30/06/2026 09:29

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:28

It is always good to link to your source

I have linked to that source on several occasions previously - Boris Johnson was not responsible for the 2008 financial crash and aftermath.

Show quote history

No individual was. US irresponsible lending was.

Anarchy99 · 30/06/2026 09:28

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:25

Oh, that claim was made about Starmer too. Fangirls, Starmerites etc.🙄I wondered how long it would take for the AB cult comments.

I don't like what AB he has done one bit and I don't particularly like him generally. But I still hope he does a good job and he is infinitely preferable to Farage.

Show quote history

But his supporters do get quite ‘overheated’. It isn’t a reflection on him as such. I too hope he does a good job.

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:28

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:16

Oops. You missed a bit Clav:

Most Londoners say Boris Johnson has done a good job as mayor and few expect Sadiq Khan to do better – but many say London life is worse than eight years ago

However if Boris Johnson has had any positive effect on the overall quality of life in London over the past 8 years, few Londoners are feeling it. Only 25% say life is better in the capital than in was 8 years ago, while 35% say it is worse and 26% say it is no different.

It is always good to link to your source:

yougov.com/en-gb/articles/15330-mayor-boris-public-verdict

Show quote history

It is always good to link to your source

I have linked to that source on several occasions previously - Boris Johnson was not responsible for the 2008 financial crash and aftermath.

poetryandwine · 30/06/2026 09:26

Bogstandardname · 30/06/2026 09:21

I'm afraid this will end badly for Burnham and the country. He would be better just staying a Mayor. He believes all the hype around him. He, in my opinion and a some inside knowledge (too outing to reveal), does not have what it takes to be PM.

And yet the markets, which are very well informed and sensitive to every possible input, disagree.

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:25

Anarchy99 · 30/06/2026 09:18

He appears to have gathered a cult like following who get quite nasty if you disagree that he’s the next messiah. That’s weird

Oh, that claim was made about Starmer too. Fangirls, Starmerites etc.🙄I wondered how long it would take for the AB cult comments.

I don't like what AB he has done one bit and I don't particularly like him generally. But I still hope he does a good job and he is infinitely preferable to Farage.

BauhausOfEliott · 30/06/2026 09:25

You’d never heard of a man who has previously been Health Secretary and twice ran for the Labour leadership before, as well as being Mayor of a massive city region who was all over the national news during Covid because of a very open conflict with the government over funding during lockdown?

He hasn’t had a ‘sudden rise to the top’. He’s been rising for decades. If you pay zero attention to political news, I’m afraid that’s on you. Jeez.

Topseyt123 · 30/06/2026 09:25

GarlicBiscuits · 29/06/2026 20:30

Thanks for the discussion.

So it seems that most of Burnham’s past MP work was when Labour weren’t even in power?

Wrong again. Try harder. Even read people's replies.

Of course it was when Labour were in power, otherwise how could he possibly ever have been a CABINET minister. Cabinet, not Shadow Cabinet.

CandidLurker · 30/06/2026 09:23

TheyGrewUp · 29/06/2026 19:46

The far left want a kindred spirit. That's why. Except for being Mayor of Manchester, what exactly has he done? Has he ever had a job outside politics?

I am sure he will be remembered for a very long time and will have greater impact than a lettuce.

I did read his history at some point. I don’t think he’s ever had a job outside politics.

BIossomtoes · 30/06/2026 09:22

Bullandbear · 30/06/2026 09:15

And yet, gilt yields are currently trading above the Truss-era highs.

Go figure.

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Only 30 year gilts. Five and ten years are lower.

LakieLady · 30/06/2026 09:22

Are you quite young, OP? I'd have thought that most people who were adults 20 years ago would remember him, he was on tv loads and often in the news.

He was a prominent member of the cabinet under Gordon Brown (possibly Blair, as well) and did some really good work on the Hillsborough tragedy and on maternity care failures at a hospital that I can't now remember the location of.

He's not my cup of tea (I'm Old Labour and of a Bennite persuasion on most matters) but even I can see that he's very capable and (possibly more importantly) comes across as a relatively normal and likeable person.

Bogstandardname · 30/06/2026 09:21

I'm afraid this will end badly for Burnham and the country. He would be better just staying a Mayor. He believes all the hype around him. He, in my opinion and a some inside knowledge (too outing to reveal), does not have what it takes to be PM.

poetryandwine · 30/06/2026 09:20

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:20

According to YouGov, almost 40% of Millennials (age 30-45) have not heard of Andy Burnham;

https://yougov.com/en-gb/trackers/fame-and-popularity-andy-burnham?crossBreak=millennials&period=1yr

Now they have

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:20

According to YouGov, almost 40% of Millennials (age 30-45) have not heard of Andy Burnham;

https://yougov.com/en-gb/trackers/fame-and-popularity-andy-burnham?crossBreak=millennials&period=1yr

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:19

Bullandbear · 30/06/2026 09:15

And yet, gilt yields are currently trading above the Truss-era highs.

Go figure.

Show quote history

Oh, hello. I thought I recognised the posting style!

Are you saying Truss wasn't a disaster?

Anarchy99 · 30/06/2026 09:18

He appears to have gathered a cult like following who get quite nasty if you disagree that he’s the next messiah. That’s weird

BIossomtoes · 30/06/2026 09:17

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:16

Oops. You missed a bit Clav:

Most Londoners say Boris Johnson has done a good job as mayor and few expect Sadiq Khan to do better – but many say London life is worse than eight years ago

However if Boris Johnson has had any positive effect on the overall quality of life in London over the past 8 years, few Londoners are feeling it. Only 25% say life is better in the capital than in was 8 years ago, while 35% say it is worse and 26% say it is no different.

It is always good to link to your source:

yougov.com/en-gb/articles/15330-mayor-boris-public-verdict

Show quote history

😆

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:16

Clavinova · 30/06/2026 09:03

Boris Johnson was ... an ineffective and lazy mayor for London

That's your opinion. YouGov ran a poll when he left office;

Mayor Boris: the public verdict
5 May 2016
52% of Londoners say he has done a good job, while 29% say he hasn't performed well.

Show quote history

Oops. You missed a bit Clav:

Most Londoners say Boris Johnson has done a good job as mayor and few expect Sadiq Khan to do better – but many say London life is worse than eight years ago

However if Boris Johnson has had any positive effect on the overall quality of life in London over the past 8 years, few Londoners are feeling it. Only 25% say life is better in the capital than in was 8 years ago, while 35% say it is worse and 26% say it is no different.

It is always good to link to your source:

yougov.com/en-gb/articles/15330-mayor-boris-public-verdict

Bullandbear · 30/06/2026 09:15

TemperanceWest · 30/06/2026 09:10

Wow. All that experience and she still fucked up massively.

Show quote history

And yet, gilt yields are currently trading above the Truss-era highs.

Go figure.

AlwaysExtraHot · 30/06/2026 09:13

EveryKneeShallBow · 29/06/2026 19:40

Nevertheless, I agree his sudden Messianic elevation is odd. It’s going to be a hard one to live up to.

I had heard of him, but I agree with this.
It's so blindingly obvious that, after a brief moment in the sun, something will go badly/not how some Labour MPs wanted, and they'll turn on him. That's just always how it goes with PMs.

Bullandbear · 30/06/2026 09:13

BIossomtoes · 30/06/2026 08:33

People who object to a particular political party on principle. I did actually make that clear from the outset.

Edited

Well, you would be wrong there - I voted for Blair.

Best not to make assumptions, perhaps.