What is so great about Andy Burnham?

[jeanne16]

Just that really. I keep hearing what a great job he has done as mayor but never hear any examples of what he has done.

Btw Boris Johnson was quite a successful mayor of London and we all know how that turned out.

God,no!

this ^

His cardigan collection maybe

But that running shorts pic which just greeted me on a news app kind of destroys his sartorial advantage

In 2019, under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour won 10.27 million votes. In 2024, under Starmer, Labour won 9.71 million votes. That’s around 560,000 fewer votes.

I thought he had great legs!

Oh god no - that would be the end

Ha maybe. Imagine being snapped on a run. Poor guy. Not many look their best.

I doubt he is viewed by Labour as having those qualities that Starmer lacks.

I also feel like - as also demonstrated by Boris Johnson - it's quite easy to be a popular mayor. You have a really concentrated focus and can fight for your area without needing to balance out competing national needs, and it's pretty win-win for you - if you get the stuff you want it's your victory and all credit to you, none to central government; if you don't that just demonstrates that nasty central government is being mean to your area (Nicola Sturgeon was also good at this). You get to make lots of big good news announcements and there's a load of good photo op and fluffy meets stuff. Being an MP, let alone PM, is tougher.

Andy Burnham has been in government before - and people didn't think he was the answer to all their prayers then.

Forget the legs - those shorts seem to suggest he is trying to show he has the balls for the job!

No - I think he should stay in Manchester and keep his principles - there’s no place for principles in current state of govt politics

He always looks constipated.

I think he was supportive to the Hillsborough tragedy families. Other than that I don’t really know

Fun fact. His brother is the principal of the local college me and my sons attended.

So do I. He has done a great job here as Mayor. I like someone who sticks by their principles.

I hope he loses the Makerfield by election and stays on as Manchester Mayor.
As Reform did so well in Makerfield in the local elections; it is quite possible they will get in.

🤣🙈

Oh let makersfield have Nigel then - hopefully he will say he is trans allie and that will have them running a mile towards their flag
poles

true happiness is about being able to live by your values - can’t see being PM will give that

I think he should stay put and enjoy his life as it is - who wants to be at work 24 seven - he will have to bend and do dirty deals - no Andy!’

There is something to be said for not getting too big or doing too much

he would have to leave his nice house for one and relocate and work all hours god sends

no no no!

Andy Burnham also twice ran for Labour leader before and, it's almost forgotten, did embarrassingly badly both times.

First time he got 40% less than Ed Milliband.

Second time he got 40% less than Jeremy Corbyn.

He's since gone away and reinvented himself as a socialist and seems to be a lot more popular.

Do you think charismatic politicians are necessarily trustworthy? Think about some of the charismatic leaders there have been around the world over the years before you answer…

Not really referring to Burnham here, I like him, but more generally speaking charisma can be a real problem where political leaders are concerned.

His other brother was my DD's head teacher.

Oh no

so he does want the big job then

@MikeRafone You need votes concentrated in constituencies to win seats. Widespread votes don’t win seats. Turnout matters too. Low turnout, fewer votes.

Burnham has not done much nationally. They can have pet projects as mayors and blame Westminster for everything they cannot do. He’s never managed defence, the economy, immigration or any really big question facing us. Starmer was always less interesting but no one wanted another Boris! Starmer isn’t politically astute and we don’t know if Burnham is or not. He’s never had a main office of state.

I can see Reform getting everyone out to try and get their council results repeated.

I said this on the other thread but it seems incredibly short sighted for Labour to trigger a by election so soon after reform scooped up a great deal of many seats in the local elections...... biggest own goal ever?

After the speech he made about Hillsborough at Anfield, I will be a lifelong fan

Has it occurred to you that many more parties were in the running in 2024 compared to 2019...

We are stuck with the FPTP system.