Andy Burnham - how can this be allowed?

[Boopybop]

I know that there is a long way to go over the coming weeks, with by-elections and leadership challenges. But fundamentally - how can it be right that a man who was not even a candidate in the General Election, was therefore not voted for in the General Election - become Prime Minister? Effectively, the people of Makerfield are selecting the country’s new Prime Minister (as it is pretty obvious that AB would win a leadership contest).

This feels wholly undemocratic in every way.

AIBU - Andy Burnham has every right to become PM

AINBU - it is not right that a by-election in Makerfield can determine who the next Prime Minister will be

What is your objection? Labour? Burnham? Is it that Labour may regain the initiative with a change of leadership? Personally I am just amazed how a party voted in with such a huge majority are making such a mess of things.

I think this is what will happen.

Of course I remember Liz Truss. The difference is that Liz Truss was a sitting and elected MP at the previous GE. Andy Burnham is not, and is seeking to become an MP purely to become PM.

For those saying I don’t understand the process. I absolutely fully understand the process - it just does not feel right that this circumstance can happen.

It is a bit weird when you think about it but then I don’t think the people of South West Norfolk realised when they voted for their MP in 2019 just how much trouble they could save the country if they had swung to Labour then rather than in 2024!

The people of Macclesfield do at least know the implications of their vote.

Well - if you're a member of an affiliated Trade Union you also get a vote for Labour Leader.. How many of your Brigade are members of TU's?

This is not a possibility because AB does not have to give up his job as Manchester Major until he is voted in as an MP so if he is not elected as MP he will still be Manchester Major.

Op is correct in that when the GE is taking place, we are electing the leader of the party alongside the party itself. When this nonsense happens we are completely outside of the vote and Labour could decide the most unsuitable candidate should be leader and we just have to lump it.

I don’t think Tim Roca is going anywhere.

It won't - at least not until the next election. AB will stay if he is not elected as an MP.

Would you feel the same if it was any of the MPs elected in the recent, more widespread, local elections?

No, we aren't electing the leader. I don't know how many times people have to say it, but this isn't how it works, and if you think it is, then maybe try and learn a bit more about how the political system works in this country.

my hot take is ‘you only get to vote for your own MP’ the candidates are, (in the Labour Party anyway) selected by the local constituency - they are then out to the constituency.
then if they win they join the PLP - we (the members) get to vote on who our leader is. It’s pretty democratic.

I think we are just throwing red meat to the right wingers once we have done this btw. I mean, they sat happily through the last government’s revolving door of PM’s but now it’s democracy at risk (lol) the ‘get Starmer out’ crew have already moved on to ‘general election now’ between that, the bots and the media your baying will destroy this country - as it did with Brexit.

Currently my brigade is nil participants lol 😂

I floated the idea for the first time yesterday and was met with the same comments OP is getting that ‘I don’t understand the system’.

Well I DO! It’s that if I pay (in advance) then I can vote.

Unfortunately I am not a trade union member. If brigade members can be members without paying then great for them!

Ah - I didn’t know that. I was more talking about the prospect of him losing the by-election to be honest.

Of course as per their MO Labour are being idiotic with this leadership squabble, whatever happens. They should be sitting tight with Starmer and steadying the dinghy. Getting rid of him for someone else won't change much and just makes everything more unstable. But of course the country comes last. Labour don't understand it's them we dont want, the leader is just the sticker on their mess.

The constituents of Makerfield will have a choice to vote for him or not, they know his plans

That is democratic

😂

I think a lot of people agree with you.
For me this government have done lots of things so far that are concerning to a normal person but they always seem to tell us that it's all above board and no rules have been broken etc so we have to suck it up. It all just feels underhand and manipulative.
And so many people will defend them just because they are Labour. I dont know if it's genuine agreement or just overwhelming hatred for other parties.
Honestly if any other party had done half the things they have there would be uproar, mainly from Labour themselves. They shouted so loudly about others breaking the rules and that they wouldn't, grown ups being in charge etc etc.
Endless things just get glossed over. There has been so much that you forget things.
Everything is blamed on the previous government. There is no accountability at all from the party or their supporters.
And all you get from people on here if you dare to speak the truth is that you're uneducated and patronised like they are some sort of superior being or get called a bot.
I have no love for any particular party. I have voted differently in almost every general election but I wouldn't vote Labour again.

When you say ‘we’ you don’t speak for everyone. cos I can say that too!

Agree. The people of Makerfield are not stupid. They won’t be manipulated. I don’t have a vote because I don’t live there but I do live in Manchester and I know which party won’t be getting my vote for Mayor.
The arrogance of Burnham takes my breath away.

I imagine the self serving mutt will lose the by-election (It is by, not bi) because most voters will have the normal human emotion of not wanting to be used.

If he does win, then I would be surprised if it was by more than the hairs on his arse.

Disgusting that an elected MP can think he "owns" his electorate and can just shift them all across to another candidate.

No doubt this Simons character will pop up in the House of Lords if AB wins because, after all, nothing for nothing and the only people stitched up will be the electorate.

Hopefully, anyone -even the Lunatic Greens- will win and give these two a punch on the nose.

We have by elections all the time. One thing I do think is undemocratic is when someone changes party and there is no by election. No okay.

But this is a by election because the voted for MP is standing aside. His choice.
And the candidate is from the same party.
There is no guarantee he will be PM. Or even elected. Likely of course but not a given.

Ha! That’ll teach me not to proof read! It seems the only way my phone will let me type Makerfield is by typing Maker field and then deleting the space in the middle.

I think it's rude beyond belief to the people of Makerfield to use them for personal ambition!

I'm not sure he'd win a leadership contest - he's failed twice already!

Well not really first of all he has to win the by electtion
And then if successful win the leadership contest
But also all PMs will be a an MP for a constituancy
Regardless of where that constituancy is
So buy your logic if the next PM