AIBU to think his speech sounded too parochial for a leader?

[lightseeker]

I listened to Andy Burnham's speech today and all he talked about was devolution to the regions. I mean ok, fine, by all means give that a go. But, do people think he sounds like a national leader? What about international policy - the Middle East or Ukraine? What about sustainable energy transitions? What is his stance on developing closer relations with the EU? What about the economy? What is his global vision? It will take a lot more than building more council houses and giving out free bus passes. AIBU - the man is sounding way too parochial?

I suspect the opposition parties would rather he didn't just yet as 'building more houses and improving living standards across the regions' probably sounds quite positive!

They'd rather he waited til any poll bounce has worn off.

I hold no brief for Andy B, but where 9.9/10 stories are about London without a breath of dissent, you don't get to dismiss the 0.1 as 'parochial' just because it has outside of the M25 cooties.

Exactly. More investment and opportunities for other parts of the UK and reduced demand for housing and services in London/SE.

People won't think they 'have' to move to London to get a good job and young people who already live there won't be competing with so many other people for housing. Win win.

Love Andy Burnham personally and there will be plenty of other speeches. We need a fresh start and hopefully he will have a more surefooted approach and a more sensible policy slate than Starmer has done.

Anything which reduces divisions in the UK has to be good given the current climate of polarisation and I actually like the devolution ideas from that point of view.

Will you be happy to pay for the extra security he's going to need for being part time from Downing Street? The man is an arrogant prat.

I agree. I hate devolution in a local council sense. A family member gets a fairly substantial care package for respite care. They’ve just moved house and changed council. The ENTIRE thing has to be redone under the new council- loads of assessments, loads of letters from many professionals, doctors, social workers etc. Lots of stress. It’s just been completed as the same pay award as the previous council. What a waste of everyone’s time…

Well his plan is going to create more division

How about we give him a chance?

He's being given a massive chance already - one many of us didn't vote for.

I feel there’s a song about this…
are most of those up in arms and aghast about this from London?

Have you been to Manchester recent?!

How? One of the things AB has done in Manchester is work with other parties, that’s why he won the mayoral election resoundingly because people who supported other parties voted for him. Coalition frequently works in local authorities, smaller parties have more of a voice. Yes, tha sometimes means Reform councils but that’s democracy for you.

There areas to be at least one person seeking to divide and that person would be you.

That’s the trouble, Manchester is one of the few areas of the country that is thriving and people don’t pay attention as it’s not London. AB wants what he’s done in Manchester to spread to other regions. If it only works in half of the areas it would be better for than what is happening now.

I think we could do with a bit of focus on the U.K.

we’re not in the eu anymore and that’s last decade’s battle. Yes defence spending needs sorting but honestly so does the Uk generally.

i liked his speech and I don’t normally vote Labour

this is the general public he is talking too,

Where's the money coming from for these cosmopolitan schemes?

What about his plan will create division?

In Manchester he put a tourist tax on hotel rooms - £1 a night I think.

Great but a drop in the ocean.

Because he is already defining himself as only interested in Manchester. How about trying to put together a plan where centralised government serves the whole country? Councils are bankrupt, it’s going to cost a lot of money to just get right; even before you start ‘improving ‘

And so the lies begin.

Where has he said he's only interested in Manchester?

I am a southerner but I must say I am loving how enraged people are by the reasonable concept of Westminster not being the centre of the political universe.

I don't understand what the issue is. The civil service already has offices across the country and it is not a bad idea to do the same for government (as long as money is not wasted on new offices).

Who is lying? That is called an ‘opinion’.

Which you presented as a fact.

Opinions are usually signalled by "In my opinion/In my view/ I think"