When & how will Burnham’s honeymoon come to an end?

[Theblueyonder]

Burnham’s leadership has been relatively free of drama, so far, and certainly when compared to his hapless predecessor.

What do we think will represent Burnham’s first real test? The budget, or something else?

Another one who knows better than the IMF chief economist. Goodness me, what talent lurks here.

Another post of the same. What a surprise.

They do get a bit angsty ; pay no mind. I like your posts .

I'm just so factual you see. It's upsetting for them.

I think it’s that YouGov poll Burnham down, Kemi up. It’s tough.

All I have seen on this thread re: that poll is how pleased us "lefties" are to see Reform deflating further. But I guess it is hard to understand that if you are more of a tribalist.

Everyone’s happy for Kemi. That’s nice.

Burnham honeymoon out wrt thread title. Sounds good.

Including the prime minister who congratulated her on her bravery in her attack on racism.

I just hope Badenoch now has the wit to see that out-Reforming Reform is not the way to go. But her spiteful nature may get in the way of that.

Burnham on Brexit: "it's Russia's fault"

Burnham on RAF Fairford: "it's Iran's fault"

Burnham on Labour's polling: "it's Reform's fault"

Burnham on the economy: "it's the last lot's fault"

Burnham on a two-tier, non-integrated and divided society. "it's the far-right's fault"

Burnham on the poor: "it's the rich's fault"

Burnham on everything else: "it's the algorithm spreading mis-information's fault"

Get a grip, take some responsibility and show some leadership for once!!!

I think it’s you who needs the grip.

Tbf Starmer blaming everyone else didn’t work for him.

How so?

I hear from a Telegraph investigation that Angela Rayner’s department via her 'community cohesion fund' has been exposed funnelling taxpayers’ cash into Left-wing propaganda seeking to prevent a Reform or Tory government in the wake of the Southport murders.

Money from the taxpayer fund was distributed to Left-wing activists for training sessions on preventing the “disaster” of a Reform government and stifling criticism of migration.

Publicly funded material seen by the Telegraph was handed to council staff, offering instructions for steering local voters away from Nigel Farage as well as the “Tory-Right”.

Money from the taxpayer fund was distributed to Left-wing activists for training sessions on preventing the “disaster” of a Reform government and stifling criticism of migration.

So then, taxpayers money used for the Labour party's gain. What a scummy and grubby lot these Labour ministers are.

But you Labour supporters can ignore it of course because it's in the Telegraph and strangely not on the BBC or Guardian.

https://mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/10/13/inaccurate-reporting-on-community-recovery-fund/

Pretty good to get any kind of honeymoon in this climate.

Smoke and mirrors and carefully selected words!

Worth linking the government response to this - https://mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/10/13/inaccurate-reporting-on-community-recovery-fund/

Also worth pointing out that the "left wing propaganda" in question was a training programme entitled 'Defeating Narratives of Division' which was independently procured, using fund money, by Birmingham Blackpool, Sheffield, Walsall, Solihull and Sefton councils.

So in short Rayner set up a fund for community cohesion and some councils chose to use some of that money to deliver anti-racism training. What a scandal!

Smoke and mirrors and carefully selected wording`!

Bit like the Telegraph.

Was about to say the same. The headline on the article is disgraceful. I note pp failed to provide a link to the article, which isn't surprising given the poor quality of it.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/779ddec1947e9cc2

Can you explain what your issue is with it exactly?

A few councils, who had been affected by civil unrest and social division, decided to use less than £150k of a £15m fund to provide training to their staff on combating division.

Why's that such a big deal to you?

Political point scoring.

I am glad @Texanmonkey mentioned Rayner. It reminded me that I saw this earlier.

And maybe an obsession with Rayner?