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

I have to say I find Andy burnham very unimpressive from what I’ve see so far

its a shame he’s the best Labour seem able to muster

Its not like they've looked around, seen Burnham, and thought 'he'll have to do', is it? He is the politician with the highest approval rating in the UK and has been deliberately mustered to bring that particular asset to the table.

I think Andy Burnham has more to offer Labour than Kier Starmer does.

Voters often don't vote for policy, they vote for personality. AB is more attractive, he has more sex appeal, he's more articulate, he's more intuitive and able to 'read the room', he's a northerner but on the other hand an Oxbridge graduate so has universal appeal to both the working classes and the well educated.

Sex appeal? I don’t see it!! Also don’t feel that’s something a politician needs and that might be where we are going wrong? Looking for style over substance

it honestly feels like our political class are all sub standard and very few are willing to stand by their own beliefs - so can only assume they have none and they’re happy to flip flop until a majority like what they’re saying

I don't find hairy legs sexy. I'm glad Keir keeps his trousers on. I have no idea what my MPs legs look like. For that I am grateful.
Or is there something else which makes Andy sexy?
As for education, Wes went to Cambridge too. Wes comes from a modest/ criminal background. However, in the last 10 days I have decided that Wes is a wimp. I used to like Wes but I've gone off him.
I also think having sensible policies is more important than being sexy or 'reading the room' which may mean changing your policies to suit your audience.

I don't find hairy legs sexy

???

Smooth legs on a man would be weird and unnatural - I wouldn't find that sexy!

We're discussing suitability to be PM based on "sex appeal" are we? How would you feel if men were talking about Angela Rayner's legs as quality that made her a good candidate?

100% agree and to be fair a few posters have said this is not something a politician needs.

But we all know the Media is largely responsible for this narrative - consistently pulling people apart for their appearance and how they eat.

I'm old enough to remember the bacon sandwich and eating chips with a knife fork mocking that occurred to Ed Miliband and David Cameron.

I think people deliberately voted Labour to get rid of the Tories, that was the Labour votes that went over to Boris and also Reform voters, this time it all goes to Reform, more so since Labour continue to babble on about reversing Brexit, they just can"t stop themselves, they are totally unfit to be in government.

I never said sex appeal made anyone a suitable candidate for PM, I said sex appeal, which is more about charisma than looks, wins voters.

Some people's comprehension skills are dire!

How long until they actually have a leader, is it the end of June?

The thing is, once someone is elected to parliament at any point (GE or by-election) they can be voted as party leader and become PM. Thats just a fact.

It is not a parliamentary requirement to have been voted in at the last GE.

By all means campaign to have this bit added if you feel strongly.

In a GE you really should not think of it as voting for rhe PM as the PM is changeable. It would be like buying a house because you like the neighbours - they might move.

I can see where you are coming from, but you don’t seem able to accept it’s just something you don’t like, not something that is actually technically wrong. So in that sense, you do not understand, or will not accept, the way it works.

Plus if he wins, he hasn’t been parachuted in, he’s been voted in. Like every other MP

Exactly.

Have you heard that it is being reported he is going to …. Drum roll …… increase council tax if he gets in. Excellent!!

I read this too. We already pay a fortune as it is.
I hope it’s not true.

Both he and Wes seem to be intent on proving that Labours reputation for only knowing how to raise tax is true

and I see he is back tracking on some of his less popular views

maybe losing the by election will make the big parties sit up and realise that the blatant careerism of their candidates puts people off

Hardly likely.

Think about it, wants to get elected but promises council tax increases....

Just another smear.

he has talked about it and then his opposition have run with it. I just don’t feel anything he’s saying is at all inspiring. Just more of the same. I’m not seeing any benefit to this leadership scrap to the country.

the daily mail have really gone for him today though. I assume he’s going to be their main story until election day.

Andy's Legs are excessively hairy. I don't like his shorts either.
It was another poster who claimed he was sexy. I don't think politicians need to be sexy.
I don't want to see Nigel Farage's legs. I definitely don't want to see Zack Polanski's legs. I don't think I have ever seen a female MP pounding the streets in short shorts. They've probably got more sense.
They just float on inflatables having a vape...

Keir and Rachel are useless. Unfortunately, I think the Labour party has nothing better to offer. We may as well keep the for another couple of years. A change of leadership is not going to improve things. Look what happened to the Conservatives.
Boris' legs were not particularly hairy. I'm not sure what he was trying to demonstrate by going running. He just raised a smile. No-one thought he was sexy. (Except Carrie and an American pole dancer. )

Being photographed running sends a message that you are fit and healthy and that you are driven

theres a reason Ed was eating a bacon sandwich and there was a reason Cameron was eating chips. Even if it backfired!

They are both better than what we had & growth, though tepid is better than before, we've had some of the best growth in the G7 since July 2024.

NHS is doing a bit better, roads around me are finally getting fixed.

Labour said pre GE, it would take 10 years to turn things around not 2 years.

Reeves messed up on WFA but Labour do listen, hence changes in policy or U-turns as their detractors say but would they prefer to stick with the original plan?

I wish they'd crack on with defence, its a huge priority.

I really don’t get your point. The only difference with a general election is that MPs are being elected for every constituency, in this by-election only one constituency is voting. Whoever wins will be an MP who can legitimately become PM.
I think you have an issue with the likely outcome rather than the process

Well said.