To think Andy Burnham is smug?

[Lyra25]

To think Andy Burnham is smug and presumptuous. Just that really and I have no particular political preference, disillusioned with the lot!

No actually tories let their members (the public) vote in new PMs if one resigns atleast.

Only where there is a contest. Didn't happen with Sunak for example.

You "don't think anyone wants him for PM"... really? You don't think that perhaps your own personal views (and those eof your friends who, coincidentally, all have the same views as you) are affecting your views about what everyone else wants?

Like him or not, he's obviously popular; in Manchester where he has been, largely, a popular mayor, and in Makerfield where his presence has enabled Labour to win handsomely rather than get drubbed.

You obviously have the right to think what you like about him. But don't assume your views are the views of everybody else

What was dirty or underhand!

Well actually, Andy Burnham thanked the outgoing Labour MP for his act of 'incredible selflessness' in stepping aside. I await with interest to see if Burnham rewards the 'incredibly selfless' Josh Simons with a plum job.

I'd still like it if someone could explain to me what it is that makes these eyebrows untrustworthy. I can't see it myself

Honestly, you are talking through your hat!

But ultimately, whether you personally think he's qualified or not will make no difference.

I think he's qualified enough, and we'll all get to see how it goes.

I don't know what talking through one's hat means.

Are you taking issue with the concept that good shadow cabinet ministers work hard to understand their brief? If so, why?

Yeah I guess, he had no opposition did he? And there's no one else going for it in labour! They are all shit. Left with a mayor with zero policies but a likeable personality and the gift of the gab i hear so im sure it'll be AOk 😂

He'd be mad to, because he doesn't need to.

Interestingly JL Partners poll shows voters believe Burnham will beat Reform.

You’re actually getting excited because you want to see something underhand going on

Ha. I love Burnham. But I did comment today that he looks like the cat who got the cream, and probably needs to work on hiding his smug face a little. He's understandably delighted with his recent achievements and his reception today, and his star couldn't be more in the ascendant. He's only human. Of course he's chuffed with himself. He just needs to learn a poker face.

He looks "not very bright". How can you tell. Intelligence by looking at someone? Especially someone perfectly normal looking with no outward physical signs of having made poor life choices.

It would be funny if he did because, despite Farages needling about an election, I don't think reform want one now and I don't think the Cons do either. Burnham would be benefitting from a honeymoon/bounce so it might be strategically clever.
However, it wouldn't be the best for the country. It has only been 2 years since the last one, we need more stability than that and if biannual elections becomes a weird new normal it will cost loads. And during campaigning/the build up to an election there is less attention paid to the important boring running a country stuff. Especially now with uncertainty over Iran and really serious thing happening.
So preferably he would stick to trying to enact Labours last election manifesto as competently as possible since that's what Labour were elected on.

Good people in any role work hard to understand the brief. This is not news. A good metro mayor covers all domestic briefs, so likely understands more about a wider range of topics than a shadow cabinet minister about certain things.

Talking through your hat means talking about things without understanding them.

I would think Farage will be worried now, yes.
I'm interested to see polling.

I agree. Im really disappointed. Im traditionally Labour but dont feel they represent me now. However I have never agreed with these sort of power grabs, not voted in, no manifesto, its wrong. I certainly didnt agree with there being no electrion

I'm watching with interest and looking for things to trip him up certainly. He's not on my team.

Ah ok. Thanks for being patronising.

I refer you back to my earlier post about the fiscal rules. Maybe the metro mayors cover everything except that? Anyway, good to know that Andy's on top of the important stuff.

Couldn't agree more.

I'm interested to see polling

70% of respondents on this thread think Andy Burnham is smug and presumptuous so that's a good start.

This is still more than any other single politician did and it led to justice. The establishment covered up the events of that horrendous day. They allowed it to go unpunished and blame pushed onto the victims themselves! At least he stood for them when no one else did.

Got to get in there quick. They know he is a threat.

Perhaps Andy Burnham could do the whole bloody country a favour now and say asap that he accepts the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Equality Act 2010 and the EHRC’s subsequent Guidelines.

And then move on. For the love of god, move the Labour Party on. And hopefully put Sarah Owen, Nadia Whittome and their mental colleagues on the W&E Select Committee back in their box of woo.

And so you not think Andy Burnham worked to understand his many briefs