Labour isn't working - Thread 25

[TheNuthatch]

A chat thread for those who don't like this Labour government. 💙 🩵

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

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She’ll be gone on day two of a Burnham PMship.

Which, in fairness, would be a reasonable call in the face of her dishonesty (have a look at the reporting of her CV) and her appalling handling of the economy.

Day two? That long?! 🤔 🤣

Gary Neville should replace Andy Burnham as Manchester mayor, Labour insiders say | LBC

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/24/andy-burnham-applies-to-stand-for-labour-in-gorton-and-denton-byelection

may need to get a bulk online order of popcorn.

shame the Labour national executive meeting isn’t live streamed. Traitors viewing figures would pale in comparison.

@redange just looking at Buckley's X account, I don't think he's got any chance of becoming Mayor.

And I kind of hope not, given that he's saying a feminist society is responsible for a lot of the problems we have now. I'm going to guess he's working with a very different definition of feminism then I would use. But... there's always a massive disappointment with anyone isn't there?

Apparently the guardian pic is Andy at his favourite Karaoke bar.

Reports vary as to the song.

Something by Eric Clapton is one rumour.

EmeraldRoulette · Today 22:58
** just looking at Buckley's X account, I don't think he's got any chance of becoming Mayor.
And I kind of hope not, given that he's saying a feminist society is responsible for a lot of the problems we have now. I'm going to guess he's working with a very different definition of feminism then I would use. But... there's always a massive disappointment with anyone isn't there?
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Understood Emerald and as you said sometimes you get disappointed when you look deeper. not that i have a Vote for Greater Manchester Mayor as I live in Essex ! However, i do have a lot of interest in the politics of the North West due to living there from 1992- 2017 and being linked to Conservative politics in Cheshire during that time. I also know a bit about Tameside due to canvassing for the Conservatives in 1997 in Ashton Under Lyne and the Political Scene in the North West, In Particular North Cheshire, South Cheshire and Stoke Seats !

Yes that’s why it is going to be fun to watch

Have v just seen this on X
George should hoover up the Muslim vote.
And, with the Greens, split the left.
Really hoping the hypnotist Green guy stands😂

Happily, Starmer looks like a goner now (Reeves with him).

If the ring-binder blocks Burnham, civil war will ensure, with a challenge probably from Rayner or Streeting, and Starmer ends up looking weak and scared. If he does not block Burnham, the fox is well and truly in the hen house.

Amusingly, the best outcome for Starmer is if Burnham runs and loses.

It’s delicious.

I'm actually finding this quite worrying rather than entertaining - much as I dislike the current Labour leadership. Wes Streeting might improve things. But what if Andy Burnham actually becomes prime minister?! He'd have another 3 years (or until he gets deposed himself) to bring in all kinds of insane hard-left policies. The backbenchers are student-politics muppets too, so he'll get things through. It will be carnage for the UK.

Your view is perfectly understandable.

I rather approach it from the other angle - if Burnham treats the bond markets with the contempt he has indicated to date, we will have an economic meltdown.
Net result? Hopefully a collapsed Govt and an early GE. Base case scenario is however a Govt unable to govern (read unable to bring in any more damaging fiscal policy).

Personally I would settle for a zombie Labour govt until they get unceremoniously booted out at the next GE.

I think the general hope is that the left vote is split Labour/Green//Galloway and Reform get in, creating more pressure on Starmer and then challenge from Streeting.

Thanks, both. I have an underlying current of worry about the UK's future these days, and it's horrible.

I think that might be too pessimistic. Firstly, the NEC needs to approve him. I think they might prefer a hammering by disgruntled Burnham supporters over the challenge to Starmer, we've seen they are quite happy to be anti-democratic and with the resulting mayoral election costing over £2 million, they could use the expense as an excuse.

If Burnham does run then I don't think there's a guarantee that he'll win. I think he stands a reasonable chance - he does have a good favouribility rating but the MRP polls demonstrate that Reform was gathering momentum (30) to Labour (28) in this constituency - and I think Galloway in particular has the potential to split that vote.

Then he won't be able to start a challenge until after the elections in May. The Starmerites will dig in and delay after that. They will engage in full blood campaign of character assignations leaving the party even more beleaguered. Probably over the summer holidays. Maybe a party election in the autumn? I bet Reeves gets her budget in early in this time line.

If Burnham wins out - then we'll have another round of the government talking about radical change only to rub up against the bond markets, the general public, the far more sensible, and crucially slow, Lords and mounting international pressure to prioritise defense spending. If it doesn't go well there will be mounting pressure for a general election.

Completely agree with you.

I suppose it could be worse - look at what’s unfolding in the US, with another government shutdown on the cards owing to the latest ICE-related fatality…

Strange days.

I take your point, but on what grounds would Burnham fail to secure approval? That he’s not female or from an ethnic minority etc.?

Enough ‘big guns’ have come out in support, and Starmer would look weak and insecure if the NEC fail to approve Burnham. Moreover, many see Burnham as a way of retaining their seats, rather than being shackled to the electoral corpse that is Starmer.

Either way, it’s hard to see it as anything but a lose-lose for Starmer.

Yes it really is, he’s massively weakened either way. And it’s coming from the left of his party, the Labour lot will have to look there for the cause.

100%.

I suppose there is also one thing of which we can almost be certain - Starmer will make the wrong decision, and he will not be able to u-turn his way out of it…

It is a lose-lose for Starmer, regardless. The NEC is packed to the gunnels with the pro-Starmer crowd - who suggested earlier in the week that Burnham would have zero chance of being approved.

It would be a cowardly move but I wouldn't put it past them.

If that decision is made, then they will just fit whichever narrative lands the best. It won't matter because Burnham supporters won't accept the premise of any excuse.

On a balance of likelihood I think the NEC will block Burnham. Starmer’s a cowardly, conniving little shit and he’d rather face ridicule than a challenge for his job.

What a massive fuck up Labour is. I so hope they get extinguished for good at the next election.

A plea from Lammy..

"Please do not let us rock the boat and blow it which Labour governments have done throughout their history. That was why Labour was only in power in the 20th century for 22 years. Let’s not make that mistake again."

…

Great - let the NEC block it (doubtless they will cite the Manchester mayoral election costs, as opposed to reality), but the political fall-out should prove nicely damaging to Labour.

He might as @DenizenOfAisleOfShamesays he’s a cowardly shit but it will be really bad for him too.

And possibly end up opening a leadership bid from Streeting instead. A whole bunch of angered backbenchers and main party names will be hard to contain.