AIBU to think the cost of clothes has no bearing on whether a leader is a “man of the people”, and is puerile, dumbed down thinking?

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I’ve just seen a snipey remark on social media commenting on the cost of Andy Burnham’s outfit when arriving at conference, and suggesting because his jacket cost [x] amount and his trainers [x] amount he can’t be a man of the people.

The amounts stated are totally unsubstantiated but assuming they’re right, does anyone give a fuck? Surely being a man of the people is about your actions and where you’re sympathies lie, not about how much your trousers cost?

Also, the costs stated are expensive but not so wild that they’re beyond the reach of a lot of people. So it’s total bollocks anyway.

Or should a man of the people wear rags or only shop at Primark?

The press did the same to Sunak and what he wore, and mn reflected it in posts and threads.

Not a big fan of Burnham but most of his clothes seem to be from Private White VC. They are expensive because they are made in Manchester - not just designed there, actually cut and sewn there. For someone who relentlessly bangs on about Manchester and manufacturing jobs, that feels…actually quite consistent.

I agree with the PP that politicians always get stick for how they dress. And it’s always trivial and pathetic.

I do think with Andy Burnham there is a layer of classism to it though, like he should “know his place” or he’s somehow abandoned his working class roots because he has enough money to dress nicely now.

He seems self assured and good humoured about it, though, and he’s been in politics a long time, so I expect it’s water off a duck’s back. Just a shame for the rest of us that the media don’t have higher standards of political commentary!

Private White always have seconds sales too and I’d bet good money he gets a decent discount as Lord of Manchester.

And it wasn’t even a donkey jacket, it was an expensive short overcoat of a brand like Jaeger.

What's one of those anyway!

But that's your opinion. I thought the colour looked fantastic on her. She's found a dress she likes and wore it. Rather than wearing something that has to hide a perfectly normal part of the body, of a 57 year old woman who has children and doesn't concentrate on exercise. I imagine that their days are long and comfort has to be a factor. You can't cater for everyone's taste, so women should wear what they love.

The media didn't want that bit of the story. As I remember it was a Cenotaph ceremony so he was dishonouring the dead etc.

I'd love it if prominent male politicians started to break the 'rules' of wearing a suit. OK, many go 'casual' by not wearing a tie (🙄) but on Laura Kuennsnerg this morning, she was sitting interviewing AB in her snakeskin jacket and silver shoes, while AB is besuited. Come on chaps, go smart/casual!

Im quite pleased with him so far. I just hope he actually does the things he plans to. Thats the important part. I couldn’t be less interested in his clothes and in any attempts to smear him. He’s been around a while so i imagine he’s wise to a lot of it.