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Original poster

AIBU to think Andy Burnham might call a general election soon?

664 replies

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 00:56

To think Andy Burnham will call a general election before Christmas? Yes it would be a massive roll of the dice but,

Reform - don't have the numbers for a GE and there's all frog faces suspicious money bringing him a lot of heat.

Torys - kemi doesn't have a lot of depth, I feel and she hasn't changed much in the polls. She's good at the dispatch box but let's face it anyone could stand up and insult the other side.

By calling a GE Andy would have his own mandate and break the deadlock of the back benchers.

Not being unreasonable = he needs to call a GE

Your being unreasonable = Robotic Kier and Ratchet Reeves have gone and Andy just needs to get on with it now.

OP posts:
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Happyjoe · 20/07/2026 13:09

No. He would want to be in power. And no, because the next general election isn't due yet and they cost millions to run. If we had a general election every time we'd change leader, we'd be wasting billions on their ego and incompetence, we can't afford that.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 13:08

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 13:06

I thought his speech was surprisingly emotional. His mum sent me over the edge 😢

If he can deliver on the back of that speech, he's got a chance. Fairer for everyone has to mean that - not just in an economical sense.

AlwaysExtraHot · 20/07/2026 13:08

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 13:06

You’re making it into a thing because you clearly do care.

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I care that he's using his appearance as an ideological signal.
If he hadn't said anything and just turned up for work in a T-shirt with no comment, that would be different.

AlwaysExtraHot · 20/07/2026 13:06

EasternStandard · 20/07/2026 13:01

Listening to that speech I think it’s very unlikely on the GE.

I haven't listened to the speech. Can I ask why you think that?

Original poster
Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 13:06

I thought his speech was surprisingly emotional. His mum sent me over the edge 😢

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 13:06

AlwaysExtraHot · 20/07/2026 13:05

And the Zelenskyy analogy doesn't really work imo - Zelenskyy wears those tops on ideological grounds.
That's exactly what Burnham is proposing to do. That's why I made that specific analogy. Only Zelenskyy has a good justification for it.
It matters to me BECAUSE it's so obviously a populist, grandstanding move. At bottom, I don't care what people wear, politicians or otherwise, but he's making what he's going to wear into A Thing.

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You’re making it into a thing because you clearly do care.

AlwaysExtraHot · 20/07/2026 13:05

ruethewhirl · 20/07/2026 13:00

Why does it matter whether or not a politician wears a suit if they're getting the job done? That's about the least important thing in all of this. I know a lot of people would say 'respect', but there are so many ways to demonstrate that other than wearing a suit. Personally I care about a PM's actions, I couldn't give a shit what they wear.

And the Zelenskyy analogy doesn't really work imo - Zelenskyy wears those tops on ideological grounds.

Show quote history

And the Zelenskyy analogy doesn't really work imo - Zelenskyy wears those tops on ideological grounds.
That's exactly what Burnham is proposing to do. That's why I made that specific analogy. Only Zelenskyy has a good justification for it.
It matters to me BECAUSE it's so obviously a populist, grandstanding move. At bottom, I don't care what people wear, politicians or otherwise, but he's making what he's going to wear into A Thing.

LakieLady · 20/07/2026 13:04

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 11:46

A Roman Catholic PM. I've just discovered another reason to be wary but that's a whole new thread.

I think Blair was a Catholic at heart, he was quick to convert after he stepped down.

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 13:04

HandPulledNoodles · 20/07/2026 13:03

I thought the speech was good. Well delivered and hopeful.

Yes, it made a very pleasant change.

HandPulledNoodles · 20/07/2026 13:03

I thought the speech was good. Well delivered and hopeful.

Rinoachicken · 20/07/2026 13:02

I thought he was supposed to be a superior orator than Starmer? He’s just as wooden and unsure sounding?!

It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him, know little about him (like most of the country I imagine) - but on first impression I’m distinctly underwhelmed and left thinking seriously? This is who they booted Starmer out for? I don’t care much for Starmer either but they have massively hyped up this new guy and I’m just not getting why?

He better have some amazingly new and different policies or something hidden up his sleeve because otherwise…what was the point??

EasternStandard · 20/07/2026 13:01

Listening to that speech I think it’s very unlikely on the GE.

ruethewhirl · 20/07/2026 13:00

AlwaysExtraHot · 20/07/2026 12:49

Agree.
And what's the schtick about only wearing a suit if the occasion really calls for it? Hmm He's a pound shop Zelenskyy.
Tit.
Sorry Grin He really annoys me with his carpetbagging and his ego.

Show quote history

Why does it matter whether or not a politician wears a suit if they're getting the job done? That's about the least important thing in all of this. I know a lot of people would say 'respect', but there are so many ways to demonstrate that other than wearing a suit. Personally I care about a PM's actions, I couldn't give a shit what they wear.

And the Zelenskyy analogy doesn't really work imo - Zelenskyy wears those tops on ideological grounds.

kerstina · 20/07/2026 13:00

I thought it was an inspiring, hopeful speech . Did sound left of centre but we really do need someone who can push hope and unity not hate and division.if only he had a magic wand ! I was quite emotional listening to him.

Desperatelyseekinglazysusan · 20/07/2026 12:58

SuziQuinto · 20/07/2026 12:39

We don't vote for the Prime Minister.
How many times?
It's the same thing, over and over. It's really worrying how many people don't understand how the political system works.
It's been explained and it's getting tiresome now.

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The Labour manifesto ( which those Labour MPs were elected on) was not left. It was centrist. It did not include lifting the 2 child benefit cap. Parliamentary democracy only works if MPs support their own party manifesto. At the first opportunity some of them voted against their own budget and then moaned that they were expelled. If you want to blame people for not understanding Parliamentary democracy, blame ( again) Labour MPs. They are the root of the problem. They thought they could Trojan horse into government on a Centrist platform then get rid of Starmer and replace him with a Lefty, and they have done exactly that. History tells us they will soon fall into their own purity spiral, but will then blame everyone else once they realise Burnham is whatever he needs to be to win an election..

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 12:58

A fair speech just now. Let's see what he does.

Original poster
Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 12:57

MajorProcrastination · 20/07/2026 12:34

GEs are expensive and disruptive. The hounding of Keir Starmer by BBC News talking about his resignation as a fair accomplis felt anti-democratic. I'm not pro-Starmer. Burnham won't call a GE because what a fucking waste of his time that would be, how bloody disruptive to rejig his cabinet with the possibility of being out on his arse very soon.

Can we please return to grown up politics where people do the time they were trusted with in the first place.

There's obvs also the danger of Reform gaining power from the imbeciles and racists who vote for them.

He doesn't need a GE to shuffle his cabinet he can do that at anytime really. Reform are bluster at this time, yes they are in front on the polls but in practice don't have the party numbers to run in a GE.

Just watched our new PMs first speech. Sounds very much like the Torys leveling up which I do agree with.

OP posts:
ruethewhirl · 20/07/2026 12:57

He'd have to be crazy to call one now. I'd be completely gobsmacked if he did that.

AlwaysExtraHot · 20/07/2026 12:49

Focussingonme · 20/07/2026 02:16

I think he should - but I don't think he will. Too risky for his own position and party. He will do what everyone else does, ignore the manifesto and do what he wants anyway.

Agree.
And what's the schtick about only wearing a suit if the occasion really calls for it? Hmm He's a pound shop Zelenskyy.
Tit.
Sorry Grin He really annoys me with his carpetbagging and his ego.

SuziQuinto · 20/07/2026 12:45

SpottyAlpaca · 20/07/2026 12:44

Correct.

It’s actually quite concerning that so many people who are sufficiently interested in politics to comment about it on a forum evidently don’t understand the basics of how our political system works. This stuff needs to be taught better in schools.

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Or - just before I go - people could look it up!
Just a thought!

SpottyAlpaca · 20/07/2026 12:44

SuziQuinto · 20/07/2026 12:39

We don't vote for the Prime Minister.
How many times?
It's the same thing, over and over. It's really worrying how many people don't understand how the political system works.
It's been explained and it's getting tiresome now.

Show quote history

Correct.

It’s actually quite concerning that so many people who are sufficiently interested in politics to comment about it on a forum evidently don’t understand the basics of how our political system works. This stuff needs to be taught better in schools.

SuziQuinto · 20/07/2026 12:41

SpottyAlpaca · 20/07/2026 12:37

It’s the Labour Party’s mandate. Not Andy Burnham’s. Not Keir Starmer’s. Not anyone else’s. That is how British parliamentary democracy works.

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Thank you, I've really no idea how many times it has to be explained! Fortunately I have to go out now because I'm going to get too irritated!
Good luck if you're staying on this thread! 🤞

SuziQuinto · 20/07/2026 12:39

ExtremelyLargeClock · 20/07/2026 12:37

Lots of comedy TikTok’s splicing footage of AB with David Brent. Surprisingly very similar types.

this country doesnt want a very leftie government. Hopefully the governments will stop him from wrecking things too quickly. Mind you, the more horrible his ideas are, the better for Kemi and Nige.

it’s a massive punch to the voters to be given a PM nobody voted for.

We don't vote for the Prime Minister.
How many times?
It's the same thing, over and over. It's really worrying how many people don't understand how the political system works.
It's been explained and it's getting tiresome now.

DPotter · 20/07/2026 12:39

If he does he's more of an idiot than I thought he was

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 12:38

SerendipityJane · 20/07/2026 12:31

Not napalm in the morning ?

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Why are you familiar with its usage?

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