How long do you give Andy Burnham as PM?

[AndyBurnham2L]

Build ‘em up.
Knock ‘em down.

Short honeymoon and then the grumbling will start. It will all be over for him by Christmas.

So, who’s next?

Farage has been in politics long enough. Whether you agree with him or not, he knows his stuff.

But apparently he wasn’t in politics before June 2024.

Ideally someone who has a science, economics, or engineering background; with some service in the military, and time working in the private sector ideally working closely with Government.

Kemi comes the closest.

He's full of platitudes and good intentions, but the public are already waiting to tear him down. I think he could have done better when asked about PC Harpers killers being released from prison. It should have been a straight 'no'. But I'm reserving opinion, let's wait and see.

He was in the background doing his thing. I often wonder why we argue the toss about these political charlatans. We spend more time talking about men than they are worthy of. This is why I am backing Badenoch - well one reason..

She's turned my vote back from Reform. Long time Tory voter swinging back to a mainstream party.

Rachel Johnson has just nailed it I think - "Handy for Andy" - his family are based in Manchester.

But that’s Farage’s defence for not declaring the £5 million. He says he wasn’t in politics. Which is it?

I don't know Bloss. He's a character that won't easily be pinned down. That 5 mill will disappear into the Nether.

Burnham was elected, he just won a by election. Who runs the party is not relevant. The Labour manifesto remains as it was, all he's done is tinker with some numbers to try and help people, the hospitality industry and try and get something positive from a very tough year.

We have the situation where the most powerful man in the world is literally attacking our country. This is damage limitation and to try and keep Farage out of number 10. If Farage gets into power this country is finished. The Tories know it, Dems know it and Labour certainly do

People don't realise that Ireland is already planning for a Farage government, for them it's a very dangerous time because the Northern Irish problem might be one that Farage is happy to sacrifice. Scotland too will almost certainly be looking at independence

So that will be the end of the United Kingdom, England and Wales will remain and what a sorry state that will be.

Well done for elevating Farage into a position that's not even on the cards. You're doing a great job for him.

It won’t. The right wing press have turned against him now and he won’t face the broadcast media because he knows they’ll ask him about it. It’ll haunt him for ever.

He'll cling on until the next general election but will then lose it for Labour. He's a people pleaser who is totally out of his depth and will be horribly exposed once he starts properly after the summer.
He doesn't have the gravitas needed as a PM - let's face it, he's still completely operating with a 'town mayor' perspective. At a time when we have global political and financial instability he chose to make buses and pubs the focus of his first announcements.
It's clear he's trying to be a 'people pleaser' for the working classes, but it doesn't give the country status, or the financial markets vital confidence for investment in the UK.
I think he's currently kicking fast underwater to work out what he's going to do. It's been noticeable that he's refused to take any significant interviews or questions, simply issuing pre-prepared 'statements'.
He likes to think he's 'down with the kids' on Tiktok etc, but quite frankly I think he will turn out to be an embarrassment on the global stage.

I don't understand his stance on Clacton. Only to think he wants out. He put the plumber in Makerfield against Burnham knowing he would lose. That gave him his perfect moment to call for a general election.

She’s a Computer Systems Engineer, with a law degree, and experience working in High net worth banking. Superb!

Anything that helps the north and the Midlands has to be positive. Far too London focussed

He needed money to compensate first, £1m a year

I thought people were complaining that Burnham is a career politician? But now he is just a ex mayor?

Wish people would make their minds up

Maybe its because Manchester is pretty similar to London and the SPADS don't want to rough it.

I had to laugh ... on the front of The Daily Star - Larry the Cat wearing a flat cap and saying "put kettle on"

I'm getting that distinct impression - it's north, but not too northern...

😆 🤣 😂

Manchester is getting its five minutes of fame. Then we can get back to proper government. I just hope Burnham doesn’t waste too much money. We’re all just treading water until we can have a GE.

You might be I’m certainly not. I’m looking forward to seeing what a determined and practical government can accomplish in three years.

Determined and practical 😆. No one wanted Burnham and the country wants an election. When it comes, Labour will be consigned to the wilderness for the next decade (at least) and the incoming administration will dismantle everything that Burnham puts in place. So I’d much rather we avoided the waste of money and went straight to an election.