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Original poster

AIBU to think his speech sounded too parochial for a leader?

115 replies

lightseeker · 29/06/2026 20:40

I listened to Andy Burnham's speech today and all he talked about was devolution to the regions. I mean ok, fine, by all means give that a go. But, do people think he sounds like a national leader? What about international policy - the Middle East or Ukraine? What about sustainable energy transitions? What is his stance on developing closer relations with the EU? What about the economy? What is his global vision? It will take a lot more than building more council houses and giving out free bus passes. AIBU - the man is sounding way too parochial?

OP posts:
coronafiona · 29/06/2026 22:31

I think moving to a less London centric economy is better for everyone, and I hope this is the start of it. But yes he does need to communicate about the wider issues too.

KateSixer · 29/06/2026 22:30

lightseeker · 29/06/2026 20:40

I listened to Andy Burnham's speech today and all he talked about was devolution to the regions. I mean ok, fine, by all means give that a go. But, do people think he sounds like a national leader? What about international policy - the Middle East or Ukraine? What about sustainable energy transitions? What is his stance on developing closer relations with the EU? What about the economy? What is his global vision? It will take a lot more than building more council houses and giving out free bus passes. AIBU - the man is sounding way too parochial?

I think he's decided that "his" voters have no interest in anything that happens outside the UK. And he is scared to say anything controversial.

He might be right but people's ignorance of things like the ambition and work ethic of people in other countries means they are blind to our own failings here in the UK.

Elsewhere here I have been critical of govt policy towards asylum seekers calling them in the main economic migrants. But you can't fault the individuals for their ambition and motivation to cross half the planet in search of a better life.

TokyoSushi · 29/06/2026 22:22

I’m really interested to see how things turn out, it’s a long time since somebody has taken a different approach so I’m keen to see how it goes.

I think he’s an excellent ‘councillor’ but how he’ll get on with the G7 and NATO and defence and all of that ‘big stuff’ I suppose we’ll soon see…

I think it’s going to be brilliant, or an absolute disaster and I can’t quite tell which yet.

DollydaydreamTheThird · 29/06/2026 22:15

lightseeker · 29/06/2026 21:01

But will devolution work, do we think? Local councils are not exactly renowned for their dynamism.

It's working in Manchester! Only city to have growth. I'm so grateful we got the chance to have more local governance. Andy was great during COVID and I have a lot of respect for him as a politician and what he has achieved as mayor. He gives 15% of mayoral salary to fight homelessness and will do the same as MP for Ashton in M with local causes. I'm not sure that is something a Tory or Reform candidate could aspire to. Give him a chance to change things, he's not even in post yet!

millymollymoomoo · 29/06/2026 22:08

He is not a leader in sent sense

concertinacornflake · 29/06/2026 22:07

lightseeker · 29/06/2026 21:01

But will devolution work, do we think? Local councils are not exactly renowned for their dynamism.

What do you mean by dynamism, how are you defining that?

Councils used to have more powers pre-Thatcher - do you have much knowledge of local democracy pre-1980s?

How dynamic do you consider Whitehall in 2026 to be?

Excessive centralisation is not a positive in terms of democracy.

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 29/06/2026 22:04

He isn't Nigel Farage or Donald Trump. That will do for me.

ByGraptharsHammer · 29/06/2026 22:00

Well they’ve certainly been stripped of the power and cash they used to have, which makes them very undynamic. Local democracy isn’t bad. We just don’t fund it very well in lots of parts of the UK. The parts that do get it do better.

Besides if we have another PM going on about foreign affairs I think there will be a revolution. Britain needs attention. It does not need another useless junket junkie.

Original poster
lightseeker · 29/06/2026 21:01

But will devolution work, do we think? Local councils are not exactly renowned for their dynamism.

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ByGraptharsHammer · 29/06/2026 20:50

I think a PM who actively talks about what he thinks the country needs is a very good thing. The number of PMs who get captured on international affairs because they find it easier and more glam that the UK are too many.

Greenleavesandsunshine · 29/06/2026 20:49

When you say parochial do you mean northern?

concertinacornflake · 29/06/2026 20:46

This speech was about domestic politics, especially devolution, growth, regions etc.

It's not the only speech he'll ever make.

He'll make a different speech about foreign policy.

He'll make other speeches about other things.

randomchap · 29/06/2026 20:44

Yabu for starting another thread on Burnham. There's loads already

Thechaseison71 · 29/06/2026 20:44

lightseeker · 29/06/2026 20:40

I listened to Andy Burnham's speech today and all he talked about was devolution to the regions. I mean ok, fine, by all means give that a go. But, do people think he sounds like a national leader? What about international policy - the Middle East or Ukraine? What about sustainable energy transitions? What is his stance on developing closer relations with the EU? What about the economy? What is his global vision? It will take a lot more than building more council houses and giving out free bus passes. AIBU - the man is sounding way too parochial?

Better that he's more interested in the UK that abroad.

Original poster
lightseeker · 29/06/2026 20:41

Sorry - obviously I'm talking about Andy Burnham but the AI 'suggested title' took his name out!

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