AIBU to think Andy Burnham might call a general election soon?

[Mywishistoclimbthe3peaks]

To think Andy Burnham will call a general election before Christmas? Yes it would be a massive roll of the dice but,

Reform - don't have the numbers for a GE and there's all frog faces suspicious money bringing him a lot of heat.

Torys - kemi doesn't have a lot of depth, I feel and she hasn't changed much in the polls. She's good at the dispatch box but let's face it anyone could stand up and insult the other side.

By calling a GE Andy would have his own mandate and break the deadlock of the back benchers.

Not being unreasonable = he needs to call a GE

Your being unreasonable = Robotic Kier and Ratchet Reeves have gone and Andy just needs to get on with it now.

I thought it was an inspiring, hopeful speech . Did sound left of centre but we really do need someone who can push hope and unity not hate and division.if only he had a magic wand ! I was quite emotional listening to him.

Why does it matter whether or not a politician wears a suit if they're getting the job done? That's about the least important thing in all of this. I know a lot of people would say 'respect', but there are so many ways to demonstrate that other than wearing a suit. Personally I care about a PM's actions, I couldn't give a shit what they wear.

And the Zelenskyy analogy doesn't really work imo - Zelenskyy wears those tops on ideological grounds.

Listening to that speech I think it’s very unlikely on the GE.

I thought he was supposed to be a superior orator than Starmer? He’s just as wooden and unsure sounding?!

It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him, know little about him (like most of the country I imagine) - but on first impression I’m distinctly underwhelmed and left thinking seriously? This is who they booted Starmer out for? I don’t care much for Starmer either but they have massively hyped up this new guy and I’m just not getting why?

He better have some amazingly new and different policies or something hidden up his sleeve because otherwise…what was the point??

I thought the speech was good. Well delivered and hopeful.

Yes, it made a very pleasant change.

I think Blair was a Catholic at heart, he was quick to convert after he stepped down.

And the Zelenskyy analogy doesn't really work imo - Zelenskyy wears those tops on ideological grounds.
That's exactly what Burnham is proposing to do. That's why I made that specific analogy. Only Zelenskyy has a good justification for it.
It matters to me BECAUSE it's so obviously a populist, grandstanding move. At bottom, I don't care what people wear, politicians or otherwise, but he's making what he's going to wear into A Thing.

You’re making it into a thing because you clearly do care.

I thought his speech was surprisingly emotional. His mum sent me over the edge 😢

I haven't listened to the speech. Can I ask why you think that?

I care that he's using his appearance as an ideological signal.
If he hadn't said anything and just turned up for work in a T-shirt with no comment, that would be different.

If he can deliver on the back of that speech, he's got a chance. Fairer for everyone has to mean that - not just in an economical sense.

No. He would want to be in power. And no, because the next general election isn't due yet and they cost millions to run. If we had a general election every time we'd change leader, we'd be wasting billions on their ego and incompetence, we can't afford that.

He talked about revolving PMs and the public not liking that, and a ten year plan. So I think he will want to try and settle in and do that.

A GE is such a big upheaval and even if he’s up in the polls May shows that a period of campaigning can deliver an unexpected outcome.

Although a week is a long time in politics so you never know, but I’d say his intention today is to not call a GE soon.

And it wasn't a donkey jacket, it was a short Loden coat.

No, and he doesn’t need to despite what all the supposed “experts” will post on Facebook.

Thank you. Yes, it doesn't sound from that as if he's planning a GE.

Apart from with Labour it's levelling down

How so? and how would other parties differ?

Of course he isn't. He's an intelligent man. He knows he would lose a general election.

A week is indeed a long time in politics especially in these times. Andy has been in politics for a long time he's shown over the past year he can play the tactical game. Maybe he's already moved things behind the scenes with the party to get things moving in a forwards direction. Time will definitely tell, I am willing to give him a chance like I do with every PM.

There’s an argument for calling a general election soon so he can capitalise on Nigel’s current weakness around funding and also deprive Reform of more time to prepare. However, I don’t think he’ll call one because the most likely outcome would be a vastly reduced majority (assuming he could even win it). He has ambitions for major changes and he’ll need the existing majority to force that through. He’ll also want to hang on to power for as long as possible because being prime minister is all he’s ever wanted. He is ambitious and egotistical. I’d love to see him out before Christmas, but it’s probably too much to hope for. We’ll be stuck with him until the public send him packing is 2029.

He just wants to squeeze the middle a teensy-weeny bit more.

Poor old Larry the Cat, he must be getting fed up with this.