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Thread 4 Burnham: Be alert, the world needs more lerts

996 replies

DuncinToffee · 16/08/2026 11:57

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itsgettingweird · 24/08/2026 17:47

I agree with that.

For example we don’t get rip tides here but do have tidal currents.
Also we have stone bars that when the tide comes in comes around the shallows and then fill the gap iyswim?

The number of people who visit coastal places either think they’ve been to 1 slow what they’re talking about or don’t have any idea of the risks of that particular area.

Llttledrummergirl · 24/08/2026 17:48

I would add to that familiar settings with a new unknown variant.

placemats · 24/08/2026 19:00

Scotland has fjords in abundance, plus deep inland lochs. Everyone knows the dangers of cold water shock.

LittleBowSheep · 24/08/2026 21:19

placemats · 24/08/2026 19:00

Scotland has fjords in abundance, plus deep inland lochs. Everyone knows the dangers of cold water shock.

But that's one of the main problems. Not everyone does know the danger of cold water shock. It happens so often when we get a spell of hot weather, people, quite often children, get tempted to jump into a lake or river to cool off because it just looks so tempting. I do think more needs to be done to get that message across.

Zonder · 24/08/2026 22:11

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DuncinToffee · 24/08/2026 22:18

The media was more focussed on Starmer's glasses than on what he did in his early days.

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5128gap · 24/08/2026 22:34

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I think its because Burnham is an interesting character who's come into power in a gripping way and people are following the story. There's an interest even from those who dislike him in what he's going to say next, how he's going to say it. What will it be like when he meets foreign leaders, how will he talk to Trump? Will he say something off the cuff and controversial?
He's the most interesting leading man we've had in a very long time and the media know there's appetite for him.

Zonder · 24/08/2026 22:52

DuncinToffee · 24/08/2026 22:18

The media was more focussed on Starmer's glasses than on what he did in his early days.

So true.

Zonder · 24/08/2026 22:54

5128gap · 24/08/2026 22:34

I think its because Burnham is an interesting character who's come into power in a gripping way and people are following the story. There's an interest even from those who dislike him in what he's going to say next, how he's going to say it. What will it be like when he meets foreign leaders, how will he talk to Trump? Will he say something off the cuff and controversial?
He's the most interesting leading man we've had in a very long time and the media know there's appetite for him.

To be fair I don't think Starmer had a chance to show any character. He is no doubt less interesting than Burnham but it's not like Burnham oozes charisma and charm. I think he's just given more chance to speak. And where is Kemi? I mean, I'm happy if we never see her again but for the last two years she had constant access to the mics of the MSM.

Efacsen · 24/08/2026 23:06

'Kemi' is allegedly limbering up 'to wipe the floor with Burnham at PMQs' so I have been reliably informed on 2 different threads today - shallow delusional stuff from MNs resident pundits

Zonder · 24/08/2026 23:07

Efacsen · 24/08/2026 23:06

'Kemi' is allegedly limbering up 'to wipe the floor with Burnham at PMQs' so I have been reliably informed on 2 different threads today - shallow delusional stuff from MNs resident pundits

Brilliant! I can't wait! Good thing it's still the school holidays so I can watch at my leisure.

DuncinToffee · 24/08/2026 23:07

Has she been lying low since Bonehill-Paine?

OP posts:
5128gap · 24/08/2026 23:08

Zonder · 24/08/2026 22:54

To be fair I don't think Starmer had a chance to show any character. He is no doubt less interesting than Burnham but it's not like Burnham oozes charisma and charm. I think he's just given more chance to speak. And where is Kemi? I mean, I'm happy if we never see her again but for the last two years she had constant access to the mics of the MSM.

I think if Starmer was given a chance he still wouldn't have been a headline grabber. He's very ordinary. I did pay him attention and even I struggle to think of a stand out thing he said or did that would make people sit up. You knew what you'd be getting, the same measured responses and delivery. To the public he's just another grey suit.
With Burnham you always have the feeling he might say or do something a bit out there. He's passionate, a bit impulsive, he says things in unconventional ways. The people who want him to fail are on the edge of their seats waiting for him to go rogue. The people who like him find him entertaining and charismatic.
ETA, I think Kemi is a bit lost tbh. She's lost her easy target with Starmer and I can't see the techniques she used against him working with Burnham. His response to her early swipe at him was perfect.

Efacsen · 24/08/2026 23:10

Quite possibly - it was a very public 'slight mis-step'

placemats · 24/08/2026 23:27

Efacsen · 24/08/2026 23:06

'Kemi' is allegedly limbering up 'to wipe the floor with Burnham at PMQs' so I have been reliably informed on 2 different threads today - shallow delusional stuff from MNs resident pundits

It'll be interesting to see what's trending on Mumsnet and other social media on the first PMQs and the take Badenoch will make.

Stop the boats?
Graduate entry into the workplace?
A nice warm welcome because, let's face it, he's gorgeous?

PickAChew · 25/08/2026 00:17

DuncinToffee · 24/08/2026 23:07

Has she been lying low since Bonehill-Paine?

Just lying.

itsgettingweird · 25/08/2026 04:51

LittleBowSheep · 24/08/2026 21:19

But that's one of the main problems. Not everyone does know the danger of cold water shock. It happens so often when we get a spell of hot weather, people, quite often children, get tempted to jump into a lake or river to cool off because it just looks so tempting. I do think more needs to be done to get that message across.

I think what isn’t explained enough is that despite them thinking - but it’s so hot. That actually increases the risk of cold water shock because your body and skin temp is so much warmer.

MsJinks · 25/08/2026 06:33

I don’t know how many on here will remember but we used to have those very scary public information things when I was a kid - I’m 60 - a playing on a railway one stuck with me and I’m sure there was one about water, though it’s not a sea one floating in my mind.

A 14 year old died in my daughter’s year after dive bombing into a quarry full of water - this I think due to chemicals or could have been cold or a mix. Common place for folk to go swimming even though dangerous.

We need more information out there for sure - maybe scary adverts need bringing back and spreading more widely.

I learned to swim not in school, 2 of my kids learned just in school and 2 at a swim club and school. Not one of us would be ok with any issue such as riptides, unexpected currents, massive waves but at least we are all aware of that I guess.

One of my daughters had my 12ish year old grandson well in both their depths, both able to swim and she’s not a bad swimmer at all. Anyway, just messing in waves when one just took them off their feet and threw them full in the sea - they were fine but scared.

Some of these terrible incidents can be avoided with education (not just in school) I think.

MsJinks · 25/08/2026 06:38

DuncinToffee · 24/08/2026 22:18

The media was more focussed on Starmer's glasses than on what he did in his early days.

Maybe they’ll focus on Burnham’s eyelashes a bit?

I think he’s naturally likeable essentially- obviously not to some - but I think that’ll help at PMQs, as well as elsewhere.

I also think he does come over as a guy you might meet at the shops, or a pub and he’d be friendly enough. Farage/Johnson could only dream of having such an image in the bag!

Zonder · 25/08/2026 06:59

5128gap · 24/08/2026 23:08

I think if Starmer was given a chance he still wouldn't have been a headline grabber. He's very ordinary. I did pay him attention and even I struggle to think of a stand out thing he said or did that would make people sit up. You knew what you'd be getting, the same measured responses and delivery. To the public he's just another grey suit.
With Burnham you always have the feeling he might say or do something a bit out there. He's passionate, a bit impulsive, he says things in unconventional ways. The people who want him to fail are on the edge of their seats waiting for him to go rogue. The people who like him find him entertaining and charismatic.
ETA, I think Kemi is a bit lost tbh. She's lost her easy target with Starmer and I can't see the techniques she used against him working with Burnham. His response to her early swipe at him was perfect.

Edited

I think you're probably right. I also think this is the problem with the MSM. Starmer wasn't dynamic. He did say and do some good stuff though. However that wasn't enough for the media so he was ignored and then people could say he wasn't doing anything. Badenoch makes an impact because she says some crazy stuff, so she got airtime.

I am not proclaiming Starmer as a hero or anything. I did feel disappointed in him and let down, which is why I stopped interacting about politics very much. However I feel like we have learnt nothing from the Johnson days where he was given masses of airtime just because he could clown around and be entertaining. Similar to Garage although less clowning and more shocking.

I also think you're totally right about Badenoch.

TemperanceWest · 25/08/2026 07:25

I knew a lurker would report @Zonder 's post. All the fetid racist garbage that is allowed to stand on here (often written by Badenoch lovers, ironically) and it's all fine. Put a space in Badenoch the neo-nazi excuser's name and it is the most racist thing ever and you will be deleted.

The double standards are just pathetic.

Rant over!

5128gap · 25/08/2026 07:36

Zonder · 25/08/2026 06:59

I think you're probably right. I also think this is the problem with the MSM. Starmer wasn't dynamic. He did say and do some good stuff though. However that wasn't enough for the media so he was ignored and then people could say he wasn't doing anything. Badenoch makes an impact because she says some crazy stuff, so she got airtime.

I am not proclaiming Starmer as a hero or anything. I did feel disappointed in him and let down, which is why I stopped interacting about politics very much. However I feel like we have learnt nothing from the Johnson days where he was given masses of airtime just because he could clown around and be entertaining. Similar to Garage although less clowning and more shocking.

I also think you're totally right about Badenoch.

Edited

Have you noticed all the threads on "what do you think of Reforms policy on..." with people earnestly discussing whether the 50 billion council houses they're going to build cost free should be prioritised for married people? Or whether its a good idea that 'Nigel' will force us back to the office? Speaking as though a) these 'policies' are actually feasible and b) as though Farage has any more chance of forming a government than Merlin the happy pig?
People are talking about these things because Reform keep saying them. That's all they do, say things. Starmer did things and didn't tell us. Badenoch only says critical things without explaining what she'd do (I had to Google their manifesto to find out her much alluded to 'plan') so is a bit short on material right now.
Burnham does things and says things.

Zonder · 25/08/2026 07:40

TemperanceWest · 25/08/2026 07:25

I knew a lurker would report @Zonder 's post. All the fetid racist garbage that is allowed to stand on here (often written by Badenoch lovers, ironically) and it's all fine. Put a space in Badenoch the neo-nazi excuser's name and it is the most racist thing ever and you will be deleted.

The double standards are just pathetic.

Rant over!

Wow! Thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't noticed. Do you think it's really because I put Badenoch with a gap? Funny thing is it's not even deliberate - sometimes my phone autocorrects and sometimes I notice. It does it with Farage and Garage too.

Zonder · 25/08/2026 07:42

5128gap · 25/08/2026 07:36

Have you noticed all the threads on "what do you think of Reforms policy on..." with people earnestly discussing whether the 50 billion council houses they're going to build cost free should be prioritised for married people? Or whether its a good idea that 'Nigel' will force us back to the office? Speaking as though a) these 'policies' are actually feasible and b) as though Farage has any more chance of forming a government than Merlin the happy pig?
People are talking about these things because Reform keep saying them. That's all they do, say things. Starmer did things and didn't tell us. Badenoch only says critical things without explaining what she'd do (I had to Google their manifesto to find out her much alluded to 'plan') so is a bit short on material right now.
Burnham does things and says things.

Edited

Very interesting.

I have seen a couple of those threads but to be honest I don't stray far on MN these days.

Swipe left for the next trending thread