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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.

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Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:56

@CagneyLacey yip. Good luck to him popping over to the White House.

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LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:56

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:54

@LuckyHazelFox a massive risk if he took would be jaw dropping. When Wes resigned I thought he had been offered deputy by Burnhams team but now dh has me thinking.

He might be right..

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:54

@LuckyHazelFox a massive risk if he took would be jaw dropping. When Wes resigned I thought he had been offered deputy by Burnhams team but now dh has me thinking.

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CagneyLacey · 20/07/2026 19:54

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:41

In all honesty I don't know how Milliband will do in America with his net zero and he made clear about America and the war in Iran. Be on my watch list for sure.

He was genuinely my first pick. I just sense that he’s going to put his foot in it.

EasternStandard · 20/07/2026 19:51

Desperatelyseekinglazysusan · 20/07/2026 19:49

Corbyn and McDonnell constantly voted against the Blair government. Funnily enough there was pressure from others to expel them but Blair argued to keep them in. Blair has Alistair Campbell to take the others behind the bikesheds.

Looking it up Starmer removed the whip more

Keir Starmer has removed the whip from more of his own MPs in his first year than Tony Blair and Gordon Brown did combined.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:51

Desperatelyseekinglazysusan · 20/07/2026 19:49

Corbyn and McDonnell constantly voted against the Blair government. Funnily enough there was pressure from others to expel them but Blair argued to keep them in. Blair has Alistair Campbell to take the others behind the bikesheds.

The knew Blair was right of centre.

Desperatelyseekinglazysusan · 20/07/2026 19:49

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 19:22

How do you know? Blair maintained iron party discipline, none of his backbenchers dared step out of line. I suspect Burnham will achieve the same result with charm.

Edited

Corbyn and McDonnell constantly voted against the Blair government. Funnily enough there was pressure from others to expel them but Blair argued to keep them in. Blair has Alistair Campbell to take the others behind the bikesheds.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:48

Wes Streeting as Deputy would be a massive reward for his loyalty.

EasternStandard · 20/07/2026 19:48

BrownBookshelf · 20/07/2026 19:43

Well there's a lot of things you could be referring to here, the increase in social media having been so very broad ranging and obviously going a lot beyond some people on MN during Partygate. I've definitely noticed things like soundbite culture from twitter, bots of all persuasions and Musk's political stances being influential, but I don't think that's what you mean when you say Labour set the scene for GE calls when the PM changes?

Your last line is the cause of the misunderstanding, it’s too narrow. The post I responded to referred to general hounding a PM out.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:48

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:43

My dh thinks Angela is going to get Deputy PM.

Can he take that risk given what's gone on before.

BrownBookshelf · 20/07/2026 19:43

EasternStandard · 20/07/2026 19:00

Of course there is. Have you really not noticed the recent up tick in SM political backlash?

Well there's a lot of things you could be referring to here, the increase in social media having been so very broad ranging and obviously going a lot beyond some people on MN during Partygate. I've definitely noticed things like soundbite culture from twitter, bots of all persuasions and Musk's political stances being influential, but I don't think that's what you mean when you say Labour set the scene for GE calls when the PM changes?

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:43

My dh thinks Angela is going to get Deputy PM.

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Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:41

CagneyLacey · 20/07/2026 19:27

Right, shall we start some odds on which of the new ministers is going to fuck up/get fired/step down first?

In all honesty I don't know how Milliband will do in America with his net zero and he made clear about America and the war in Iran. Be on my watch list for sure.

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LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:39

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:35

🤣🤣

She knows I respect her.

Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks · 20/07/2026 19:35

5128gap · 20/07/2026 19:29

See, he's winning you over already! We'll have you in a red rosette by Christmas!
(Seriously, fair play to you for being fair)

🤣🤣

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BermudaRhombus · 20/07/2026 19:32

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 19:22

How do you know? Blair maintained iron party discipline, none of his backbenchers dared step out of line. I suspect Burnham will achieve the same result with charm.

Edited

Blair was leader for years before delivering a landslide election victory. Burnham has failed twice to be elected to leadership and only got to his current position by stabbing Starmer in the back. He is nothing but a grubby opportunist with an astonishing sense of entitlement and a giant ego. I can’t wait for the party and the public to turn on him and send him packing.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:29

5128gap · 20/07/2026 19:29

See, he's winning you over already! We'll have you in a red rosette by Christmas!
(Seriously, fair play to you for being fair)

😆 🤣 that was funny x

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:29

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 19:22

How do you know? Blair maintained iron party discipline, none of his backbenchers dared step out of line. I suspect Burnham will achieve the same result with charm.

Edited

He will get co-operation because he's as far left as they are.

5128gap · 20/07/2026 19:29

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 18:47

Two good decisions so far.

See, he's winning you over already! We'll have you in a red rosette by Christmas!
(Seriously, fair play to you for being fair)

CagneyLacey · 20/07/2026 19:27

Right, shall we start some odds on which of the new ministers is going to fuck up/get fired/step down first?

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2026 19:22

BermudaRhombus · 20/07/2026 19:19

Blair didn’t make so many internal enemies from day one. Things will really kick off when Burnham starts actually coming up with some policies. At that point he can no longer be all things to all people

How do you know? Blair maintained iron party discipline, none of his backbenchers dared step out of line. I suspect Burnham will achieve the same result with charm.

BermudaRhombus · 20/07/2026 19:19

Blair didn’t make so many internal enemies from day one. Things will really kick off when Burnham starts actually coming up with some policies. At that point he can no longer be all things to all people

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:08

concertinacornflake · 20/07/2026 19:06

The size of the majority is not a problem - it's much tougher with a small majority. Burnham is going to do what Blair did I assume - ignore the 20 serial rebels. Starmer's error was picking a pointless fight over a policy that wasn't in the manifesto.
I'm sure Burnham will try harder to engage with backbenchers in a productive way.

He's got a few more starmer loyalist BBs to deal with now.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/07/2026 19:07

BermudaRhombus · 20/07/2026 19:04

Or do they? Is the reason that we’re a failing nation partly down to this crazy system of governance where, for example, you can have a former fireplace salesman suddenly acting as education secretary?

Yes, Mahmood and Healey will be inspiring but But Burnham's about to undo a smart cabinet by bringing Rayner in. Need to see the full suit though.

concertinacornflake · 20/07/2026 19:06

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 20/07/2026 18:02

The size of the majority is actually a problem. There’s so much room for factions and friction. They have become used to being vocal and indisciplined so the first thing they don’t like, the briefings will start. There’s a faction that wants everything but doesn’t understand you need fiscal probity. They think everyone else pays but have no idea about growth and how increased borrowing is not possible.

The size of the majority is not a problem - it's much tougher with a small majority. Burnham is going to do what Blair did I assume - ignore the 20 serial rebels. Starmer's error was picking a pointless fight over a policy that wasn't in the manifesto.
I'm sure Burnham will try harder to engage with backbenchers in a productive way.