To think Andy Burnham needs to start to show us he can talk about more than "the north" and "buses"

[joeymaynardssandwiches]

I want to get behind Andy Burnham, I feel he's got the potential to be a great counterpoint to the rise of reform. And I do know it's "silly season" in politics and with parliament closed I guess there's a limit on what initiatives can be announced

But so far it feels like he hasn't broken away from being a northern caricature who just bangs on about buses.

I'm a "northerner" (who always thought of Manchester as the part of Midlands ) but I can only do my job in the south and I can assure Andy there are big pockets of deprivation in the south too.

And I am all for public transport, and investment in it. But it just feels like a real "low hanging fruit" approach for his first few weeks and I want to hear him talk about thornier and less uncontroversial issues.

And admittedly I haven't been reading every news story in depth as I have been busy with the kids so he may have discussed other things. But that is my overriding impression at the moment and it feels a bit frustrating

I’m going to vote Conservative at the next election but, I have to admit, I do quite like Andy Burnham. He’s a breath of fresh air since Starmer and I think he speaks well.

I’m not a socialist though and wonder how much he’s going to cost me.

I like the fact he’s talked about focusing on rough sleeping but there are other, bigger issues that he just hasn’t mentioned yet and I do wonder how he will appear on the world’s stage.

Yes, I agree. I was just pointing out that the class system still exists.

Absolutely. I work at school and can an only dream of earning as much as a plumber or an electrician.

Burnham's not a socialist either, he is soft left. So perhaps consider voting Labpur next GE. Unless your constituency is a very safe Tory seat, voting Tory could be a wasted vote. Although tactical voting might be on the cards if Reform is a threat.

Vote as you like @Wishihadanalgorithm

In your head it certainly does.

Explain soft left. Soft left like Tony Blair?

This is how I feel. He is (perhaps understandably and tactically) focussing on issues that are fairly uncontroversial at the moment. Noone is going to argue with tackling homelessness or making bus fares cheaper. They are easy headline winners. And maybe that's a strategy but I expect most of the country feels there are far bigger and more controversial issues to tackle

I feel like we are being treated like small children at the moment

🙄

I don’t mind the reprieve as it’s a break from the last one but it will be interesting to see how it goes when he loses the poll bounce.

YouGov show it’s dissipating already. The TikTok version, buses and guitars probably works better when he hadn’t lost that lead yet.

When Labour are back where they were prior to leader change it’s a different proposition

I don't think there is a single accepted definition of soft left? IMO soft left is somewhere between Blair and Corbyn. Burnham obviously sits closer to Blair than he does to Corbyn.

He can't really do anything big at the moment as Parliament is in recess. Hopefully things will become clearer in the Autumn.

Absolutely. Which is why I used the word "consider". I feel sure @Wishihadanalgorithm doesn't mind a discussion. She seems a thoughtful sort of person who won't object to hearing another poster's opinion or find anything I said offensive.

I did wonder if that's what's behind it. But it does also feel like a very patronising approach to try and win people over

Delta gives Labour a 3% lead. More In Common 4%.

I am not yet convinced by Burnham, so I do see what you mean. But I am willing to give him a chance.

I feel like that too. I want him to do well. We badly need a strong counterpoint to Reform. But that means recognising that people are feeling ground down right across the country

I want to see Burnham go up against Badenoch in PMQs. This will be where his mettle is tested - can he respond robustly enough as she will not be giving him an inch.

I couldn’t vote for Burnham, he’s brought Ange back into government despite her history and that makes me question his judgement.Or question the calibre of the rest of the MPs - if she was the best he could find, then that’s worrying.

A lovely centrist government who are going to tackle the crazy high welfare bill, who understands businesses need to make money so they can employ people to raise tax, who will tackle the small boats people and deal with social issues like rough sleeping and feral families is what I dream of.

I don’t believe Burnham can offer this. It’s going to be interesting to see what he does.

And to PP, I love listening to people’s views on politics. I’ve swung from quite left wing to centrist and slightly right leaning.

My partner used to be a Tory councillor and I threatened to run against him for Labour so our house would have Tory and Labour posters in our front windows. We had very robust conversations at times! 🤣🤣

I know exactly what he’ll do. He’ll raise taxes 😜

The reason you think youve swung right is because your views haven’t particularly changed but what used to be liberal, is now right leaning. The window has shifted wildly whilst your views have provably only shifted slightly if that makes sense.

My DH and I are both Labour, but I am probably more soft left and he is a staunch Corbyn supporter. We also have robust discussions.🤣

I feel a poster will be along soon to roll out the new favourite line...

What’s that? Working class Andy, all good, patriotic millionaires

The suspense

Well someone has to pay for all the handouts!!! Is that the line?