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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Andy Burnham is doing a decent job so far?

439 replies

spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:33

I’m really impressed by him working with the tories and Lib Dems on social care. It’s what we’ve needed more of in this country for so long, and a solution to the crisis will only come about if the next party to take charge is also committed to the solution.

OP posts:
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Fchane · 29/07/2026 08:46

spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:44

Or it’s because we need some continuity across governments and the policies?

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I think we can test this by looking as to whether he wants ‘cross party consensus’ on things he thinks will be popular. If he doesn’t want to share the love around there, it’s because he wants to only share the blame for unpopular decisions.

InterestedDad37 · 29/07/2026 08:46

spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:39

I’m really impressed that it’s cross party. That’s the only way things will get fixed, some continuity.

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I remember when Tony Blair first became PM and he was big on the cross-party stuff, and had a LibDem or two in cabinet sub-committees. It was really refreshing for a while, but it didn't last (Labour traditionalists weren't happy).
I'm enthused by Burnham, and hope he has more success with it. It's clearly a good idea.

Thismountain · 29/07/2026 08:45

He's still helping Israel and America attack Arabic people - think he's even worse than Starmer. We've been manipulated into thinking this is reasonable - I admire the European leaders who are moral and brave enough not to be bullied.

MrSchubertWhiskers · 29/07/2026 08:45

So was Kier Starmer two weeks in...wait and see.

Pedant61 · 29/07/2026 08:45

It's only been a week! He has floated a couple of vaguely interesting ideas, for which he doesn't have the funding, or any concept of where he will find the funding. He hasn't done anything.
Come back at the time of the next General Election in 2029 - if he survives that long - and then we can actually form a view of what he has done.

Fchane · 29/07/2026 08:45

spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:42

But sometimes what works isn’t what they’ll like. Something needs to be done about adult social care.

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Yes, but the impression I got from your post is that you think he has done this out of noble principle of cross party working, when actually it’s, imho, a cynical political calculation to avoid Labour paying the cost at the ballot.

Original poster
spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:44

Fchane · 29/07/2026 08:42

He’s doing it cross party because he is not willing to shoulder the fall out from the press. He’s spreading the accountability pain across the other parties he’s involved.

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Or it’s because we need some continuity across governments and the policies?

OP posts:
ShetlandishMum · 29/07/2026 08:44

I would like to see things done before I would say good job. Not just more talk.

CuriousPaper · 29/07/2026 08:44

Warming to him.

Fchane · 29/07/2026 08:42

WindyW · 29/07/2026 08:36

Yeah I was so surprised when Streeting failed to tackle social care, as I think it’s such a major part of NHS problems. Impressed that Burnham is willing to shoulder the fall out from the press on whatever process is designed (which will inevitably have some losers).

He’s doing it cross party because he is not willing to shoulder the fall out from the press. He’s spreading the accountability pain across the other parties he’s involved.

Original poster
spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:42

Fchane · 29/07/2026 08:41

I think he’s been absolutely dreadful. Full of expensive, unfunded promises.

Yes, it’s good if they can come up with a cross party agreement but he’s doing it out of political survival. If there is cross party consensus, the other parties share the fall out with the public of whatever the solution is. If he thought he could come up with a solution the public would like, he’d do it under Labour alone.

But sometimes what works isn’t what they’ll like. Something needs to be done about adult social care.

OP posts:
Fchane · 29/07/2026 08:41

I think he’s been absolutely dreadful. Full of expensive, unfunded promises.

Yes, it’s good if they can come up with a cross party agreement but he’s doing it out of political survival. If there is cross party consensus, the other parties share the fall out with the public of whatever the solution is. If he thought he could come up with a solution the public would like, he’d do it under Labour alone.

Original poster
spiceupyourlives · 29/07/2026 08:39

WindyW · 29/07/2026 08:36

Yeah I was so surprised when Streeting failed to tackle social care, as I think it’s such a major part of NHS problems. Impressed that Burnham is willing to shoulder the fall out from the press on whatever process is designed (which will inevitably have some losers).

I’m really impressed that it’s cross party. That’s the only way things will get fixed, some continuity.

OP posts:
WindyW · 29/07/2026 08:36

Yeah I was so surprised when Streeting failed to tackle social care, as I think it’s such a major part of NHS problems. Impressed that Burnham is willing to shoulder the fall out from the press on whatever process is designed (which will inevitably have some losers).

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