Oh Andy, Andy, Andy.. just Why?

If Burnham wants to illustrate the cost of living with a chocolate frog, fine. What I'm not getting is this government putting it's money where it's mouth is.

I noticed that AB reiterated at PMQs that he would be cancelling the ID cards (to pay for the VAT on electricity). But, we should remember that the Digital ID was unfunded - so how is he going to pay?

It is nothing about me disagreeing or agreeing with their comments. It is the fact that people completely miss the total lack of substance in much of what he says, their obsession with stopping boats to cure all evils, the fact they genuinely think he is the first politician who has ever wanted to 'fix' things or to have come up with these ideas. The fact that many seem to think this stuff hasn't been funded before because all other politicians are meanies and don't care.

I do think that his way of engaging on social media is very patronising and simple and having read the comments he is probably pitching it about right. It is all quite cringey but it is also rather misleading as he has virtually no room for manoeuver when it comes to raising money.

This seems to be my answer on Defence spending, I mean you couldn't make it up

British army told to stop non-essential training exercises to save money - BBC News

This was not the choice of the army, the source said.

I actually think there’s probably a lot we agree on - I do know what you’re saying about how much nuance has been lost from
political discussion, but I don’t personally think Andy Burnham is to blame for that - and I would much rather see a politician using bread rolls to jovially explain devolution, than one spouting simplistic bile in order to weaponise hate and outrage.

And I don’t think it’s that people think he’s the first politician who’s said he can fix things, I think it’s more that he’s the first politician in a long time that (rightly or wrongly) people trust to actually do it.

I do also agree with you on how incredibly little fiscal headroom he has, and I think you’re right that there might be quite a comedown around the budget when Andy Burnham’s optimistic tone collides with economic reality.

But I really don’t begrudge people taking a moment to actually enjoy a politicians’ content. I think it’s great that people can hear their Prime Minister speak and feel enthused and engaged, rather than cynical or outraged. People need a bit of positivity and hope.

I think it’s fine for people to engage with different things, as long as it’s left as distinct. I don’t need the feeds I follow to switch to chocolate or other similar techniques.

It all works for the demographics as it is. When one politician wins over another so be it. I’m reminded of KS donning casual T-shirts in last few days, it never works.

ETA - I mean it doesn’t work when politicians try to transplant what’s working for someone else. Better to ride it out and stick to core ideas.

AndyKitten -

Upthread you said "Also, the shelf life of this engagement can be quite short."

Social media lilypad-hopping seems to have short but attention-grabbing engagement as a key characteristic. But I'm now wondering if you meant the time the public tolerates the person that has found themselves in the office of PM, at the moment.

The latter.

I wonder how long till the novelty of the endless insta posts and bus toys wears off.

Yes he is being ex Mayor of Manchester and the shady things he did colluding with the Manc polizi to hide the Ggangs enquiry. Hasnt once started any enquiries - Raja Miah lives in the area and has been the voice to speak out against all the coverups

I'm finding it fascinating how the cheeky chappy persona and the upbeat vocal tones are disappearing now he has found the reality of leading the country and how careful you have to be that people don't report your off the cuff remarks as policy.

I thought his first performance at Prime Ministers Questions was verging on as flat and lacking in personality as Starmer's.

I think there might be a few people inside and outside the Labour Party wondering if they've shot themselves in the foot by changing leaders mid stream.

I doubt anyone inside the Labour party is too worried yet: Burnham bounce continues with public more favourable towards PM than other leading UK politicians | Ipsos

Having said that though, I was also a bit underwhelmed by his performance in PMQs. I'm hopeful that he'll grow into it, and that Kemi Badenboch will also up her game in response. I think it would be really, really good for our democracy if we could start to see some proper, rigorous, ideological exchanges between the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition instead of the tedious point-scoring PMQs can be.

There was a headline in DH's Torygraph today to the effect of "Burnham's premiership is like using a homeopathic remedy to cure a deadly disease" and I found myself nodding.

As for the Insta-bollocks, I haven't felt such breathtaking contempt since Gemma Collins waddled into the D for E for a cuppa with 'wor Bridget.

Some bright spark Labour MP can't remember who is saying people should stock up on tins in case of food shortages caused by global warming. Isn't it the Socialists Party job to look after the people?

They panicked because of the polls.

I wrote to Sir Keir to say I was sorry to see him go and received a very nice reply.

I doubt they're panicking now: Who would make the best prime minister? August 2026

I think Keir Starmer achieved some good things, especially on the international stage, but I don't think he was the right leader to take on Reform and the populist right. Early days, but there's hope that Andy Burnham might be.

Buyer’s remorse?

After Wednesday performance I wouldn’t be surprised.

I doubt it. I'm not saying that doubts won't kick in at some stage in the future - especially since we've become so addicted to swapping our leaders at the first sign of trouble, but at the moment, the latest polling suggests it's still the case that the more the public see of Andy Burnham, the more they like him, so I'm guessing Labour will be pretty happy with that: Burnham bounce continues with public more favourable towards PM than other leading UK politicians | Ipsos

I know you're keen @Visiblyabove25 but you've just put in the results of over a week ago, twice! ❤ If Burnham can't get good polls at the moment he never will - haven't you heard what dodgy dealings Farage has been exposed for?

Yes, I did see that the first time you posted.

The polling you are posting, from what I can see
was conducted in the last week of August, before the Wednesday performance.

This latest Reform exposure by Channel 4 has shown that they were scrounging money for polls - all illegal. I wonder how much these polls were skewed in Reform's favour? What with that and Burnham and the Turncoats plotting - Starmer didn't stand a chance.

It was the local elections that put the fear into Labour MPs though.

They were published today though - and are therefore the latest available.

True. But the plotting and skewing of polling had been going on for over a year.

Fair point, but they're the latest available. And I imagine given Reform's implostion over the last 24hrs, the polls published next week will show Farage sinking even lower. I just think it's a bit of a leap to imagine anyone in the Labour party would have buyer's remorse after one slightly lacklustre PMQs, given he personally is so far ahead of any of the other leaders.

Also, fair point, I am aware I probably do seem a bit obsessively keen on Andy Burnham😆

I think it's partly just that some of the things being said on this thread seem so bafflingly disconnected to what the public at large currently think about Andy Burnham, that I find it hard to get my head round it.

But you're right, I should - and do intellectually - accept that we're none of us are going to think the same!