To feel utterly miserable about a future with Andy Burnham as PM?

[OneWarmHazelQuail]

I feel like I'm being stung in every possible way at the moment- £15 a day on tube to work, high mortgage costs, high energy costs, private schooling for SEN child (I was told state wouldn't be unlikely to assist him as he isn't mute or violent). My parents have had to help fund schooling it felt like my only hope as son has behavioural issues.

I also have an unsold old home that I have to rent out as it wouldn't sell. Buy-to-let mortgage costs, agent fees, maintenance and tax put me in a loss position.

I can't bear what the future holds with Andy Burnham. I have no doubt that he will find new and imaginative ways to keep me in this financial nightmare. I'm literally struggling from food poverty but regarded as rich by policy.

YABU- Andy Burnham is actually going to make things better

YANBU- I'm screwed

Why are you glad he's gone, though? We still have a Labour government and PM. The only change is that for those who hate Labour there is a new target to rip to shreds. Or do you think Burnham might do a better job and we all might feel some benefit?

Really? People are happy Starmer’s gone. Well most bar a few on here.

What Burnham achieves is still to be determined, he hasn’t announced the chancellor yet or policies beyond some high level stuff.

In fairness, Starmer himself was saying he'd stay. Which is to be expected before the outcome of Makerfield was known, since it would have been a poor move to appear less than committed to his role before the Burnham proof of concept.
Sorry, I'm not sure I understand yourcsecond paragraph? When apparantly they didn't do what?

😂😂

I think he'll find he's too busy dealing with foreign affairs...and the rest.

You can say all sorts of things until you get into power. Then realpolitik kicks in.

I meant I’d see quite a few replies adamant Labour didn’t change leaders.

On Burnham let’s see, I could list what I found better in his speeches over Starmer’s or what potential pitfalls are but I don’t feel strongly in either direction other than to say give it time and see what happens.

I'm interested in what you see as better in Burnham's speeches if you'd care to share?
I particularly liked his views on encouraging apprenticeships and moving away from the idea that the only way to succeed is academically.
I watched Kemi Badenoch speaking to a group of students at Oxford uni, where she spoke of the higher value of hands on training in practical skills over academia (a brave stance given her audience!) drawing on her personal experience of both. Its interesting to see she and Burnham on the same page on this issue at least.

Simply stating a fact. The poor don't pay any taxes as they don't have enough money. The rich don't pay as they hide their money and evade tax.

I'm not happy with Starmer going. They are just running scared of Reform which is already imploding.

The poor pay VAT, council tax and the plethora of other consumption based taxes. Everyone pays tax in some form.

I think that the people of Manchester would disagree. He is/was a very popular mayor and successfully worked with people with who weren't Labour voters or supporters.

Yes I liked that and much prefer to Starmer’s use of VAT on education as a key policy so I’m glad Kemi agrees on that issue. It’s chalk and cheese to me. Burnham is wanting success for those dc, Kemi too it seems, and that’s something that is a positive.

Other things include the lack of the word inherited, I noted he cited a conservative policy he put in with success in Manchester. The difference in constant blame to the ok we can work more together is a good thing.

Another line on London being greatest city in the world, basically all very well calibrated to quell certain areas of unhappiness.

Another speech today, I’m not sure on the Thatcher line but let’s see what is said. I think there might be pitfalls to avoid, some depends on chancellor decision, I’m ok with hearing the policies etc before anything.

Manchester debt £964m when Burnham took office. £1.34 billion when he left office. He is just going to pile on more debt on the UK.

Plunging us into debt is a given. Even the IMF seem to think so according to their warnings yesterday. My concern is that he will create a recession, one that will take generations to fix

Oh and the loss of tens of thousands of those that generate wealth that won’t ever return. Short term thinking and peacocking for the far left is going to finish this country off.

The poor do not pay for anything, they are using other people’s money. Get your facts straight blossom.

How exactly do you define "poor"?

There is no way you ever voted Labour.

Please tell me how poor people escape paying VAT, council tax etc.? I have some friends who could use that knowledge.

You do know not everyone who works is wealthy, don't you?

I like the emphasis on solutions rather than blame.
I think he has a tough job ahead with an impatient electorate. So I think a clear statement of intent with regular updates on progress made will be key, and clear reasons why some things take time, shared in an accessible way, would help.

65% of people living in poverty in the UK are in households where at least one adult works. Get your facts straight Peonies.

It's really easy to be popular with the electorate if you spend more money without raising council taxes by simply increasing debt - in two years Burnham increased Manchester Council debt by 65%.

What about the other 35% !!! It’s a very high percentage of people not paying for anything.

What difference does that make to your life?

You do understand that this is 35% of 'the poor', not 35% of the total population? 20% of the total population are in poverty, so only 7% of the UK population are in your group of poor people who don't earn any money.
This group will include people who have worked and are now too old, people who worked up until a point their health failed them, young people who havent yet found work, people with disabilities employees cant or wont accomodate, people who are temporarily out of work awaiting delayed NHS treatments, and people who are doing unpaid work that saves significant amounts to the public purse, such as carers.