Voters of Makerfield show you are not some pawns in a political power struggle

[Goatsarebest]

The voters of Makefield are being used in a political power struggle that is not of their choosing. They elected a MP who has decided that he wants another person to represent them so he can challenge the sitting PM.
AIBU to say they should reject this and not vote the puppet candidate in.
Vote IABU somebody needed to stand down so there would be a credible challenge to the current leadership.
Vote IANBU an elected MP should represent the people who elected them for their full term.

As a man with strong roots in the constituency, Burnham is definitely only trying to be a valiant figurehead for them. The fact that he shopped around for a compliant MP all over the place is totally irrelevant.

And it’s good that there could be a man of Burnham’s calibre back for Labour in Westminster. Which is why if I were Starmer I’d be making many campaign visits to Makerfield.

Voters sent a clear message that they have moved to the right and voted for Reform in record numbers. Burnham is liked mostly because he is expected to move the Labour party in the opposite political direction.

I think most people think that too. Especially when they arr trying to pin the mess that is Picadilly Gardens on him instead of the City Council. Burnham is responsible for public transport and infrastructure, is the Police and Crime Commissioner for GMP and holds responsibility for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. Statutory spatial framework and regeneration also come under his remit for all 10 boroughs.

I’m not sure anyone who voted for the current MP really had how he’s panned out in mind as being what they voted for either.

He does live locally. And I suspect he does care about where he lives!!

If the labour party think that any of the bizarre rigmarole is going to keep them in power and win them the next general election they are sadly mistaken.

People in Makerfield have a chance to pave the way for a future PM. I wouldn’t mind if my local MP stepped down and I had the opportunity to use my vote to influence politics in this way.

Yes this is exactly how I feel. It's the most significant election they will ever vote in. It crystallises the two paths forward for Britain - Reform, or a Labour-led government under different leadership. I know which one I'd prefer, and I find it hard to believe anyone could not have a preference between those options.

It would be so funny if they voted in a Tory candidate. Come on Makersfield - do something random 😄
Or do they have a Monster Raving Loony candidate there? That would be cool. You know the British, we love being contrary and don’t like being told what to do.

That Reform will throw everything at it should tell you how worried they are about Andy Burnham.

He has what Starmer has not got. He can sell a plan, an idea, a policy. He can speak well. Starmer cannot sell ideas, policies, plans.

I am not a Labour voter but I can see what a trouble he could be for Reform.
And I would hope that any Opposition really lays and spells it out to the ordinary bod who votes Reform what it would actually mean. Dig into the detail. Because I don’t think they realise.

It's Union loving Burnham who is the frightened one here. He's taking a massive gamble if he goes ahead and half does his job of Mayor. All in the hunt for the premiership. What a man.

Imagine if he wins though - what a victory!

It will be a very exciting race. If only the future of the country's governance wasn't in the hands of big headed men.

If people sent a message last week that they're unhappy with Labour then surely they should be pleased Labour are trying to do something about it. As in getting rid of the PM and trying to get someone in that could possibly make a difference.

Voting reform or whoever to prevent this from happening would not be in their best interests as they'll either get Pm staying, Streeting or Rayner.

Burnham is hands down the best of them.

Not a Labour voter and deffo not a reform voter!

Why are you so sure taking Labour further left is a good thing? It might be for left leaning Labour voters but in the grand scheme of things it's taking the party away from the mandate on which it was elected.

I'm a Labour voter and AB has gone down hugely in my estimation. This isn't the time for destabilising the government. If by some chance he wins and gets all the way to PM, the press and the right wing public will be baying for a GE and we will be screwed.
A is putting his ego above the party and country, I'm actually quite disgusted with him.

I want to know how much this ego trip is all going to cost. Is it funded by the tax payer or from Labour donations?

I think we have a right to know.

Spot on.

I’ve heard single figure millions quoted for the mayor but no idea of source or accuracy

The by election? Tax payers.

Labour leadership contest would be funded by the Labour Party.

If he was frightened he wouldn’t be doing it would he ?

Burnham is from Merseyside and has worked and lived in GM for many years, Makerfield is wedged between the two. It isn't like he’s some Eton elite playing politics, he genuinely does care about the local area and has done incredible things for Manchester. I think Simons did a great thing here and I wish Burnham every success.

I'd say he's running high on adrenalin. A bit like Streeting, only seeing Kemi own Wes at the opening of parliament, suggests he hasn't got the balls of Burnham. He should have stayed stoney faced throughout that attack.

I think Labour had to respond to the local election results. Presently the GE is Reforms to lose. The Labour backbenchers will be very nervous and twitchy.
It is hard to see how Starmer and Reeves could come back. He is unable to sell his policies, plans and ideas and achievements.
Not changing him would be a political suicide.

Exactly.