Burnham

[briantrumpet]

According to whom? Not heard that.

The Prime Minister?

 

[briantrumpet]

Ian Dunt with a dose of realpolitik, maybe

 

[secretsqirrel]

The Prime Minister?

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Haha no I mean the ‘not going to work’ bit.

I know she works from Manchester a lot, but Burnham would be fine with that.

 

[briantrumpet]

Haha no I mean the ‘not going to work’ bit.

I know she works from Manchester a lot, but Burnham would be fine with that.

Ah, metaphorically.

 

[secretsqirrel]

Ah, metaphorically.

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Sounds a bit bitchy to me.

 

[briantrumpet]

Miatta Fahnbulleh as Energy+Net Zero Secretary seems to be going down well, as long as you don't want to campaign for new oilfields.

 

[briantrumpet]

Sounds a bit bitchy to me.

As it's been a long day, and I've not got time to do any homework before I doze off, I asked Gemini's opinion.

1. The Positives: A "Level-Headed" Breath of Fresh Air​

Within the arts and cultural sectors, Nandy was largely welcomed for tamping down the "culture wars". Her predecessors frequently used the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) to fight ideological battles over museum exhibitions, historical statues, and wokeism. Nandy deliberately shifted the tone to a collaborative, economic one, focusing on how creative industries drive local jobs.
The Guardian

Her focus on moving power out of London (like holding major summits in Manchester) resonated well with regional arts organizations that felt neglected. Media unions also praised her stated goal of removing political appointments from the BBC board to restore staff and public trust.
National Union of Journalists (NUJ)

2. The Main Criticism: A Failure to Address the Funding Crisis​

The heaviest criticism from industry insiders is that her policies have been a band-aid on a bullet wound. The UK arts sector is facing a severe funding crisis due to central government cuts and bankrupt local councils.
The Guardian

While Nandy championed initiatives like the "Town of Culture" competition, critics point out that these are competitive, top-down pots of money rather than a systemic fix for structural underfunding. Commentators noted she struggled to secure the major financial commitments from the Treasury needed to repair failing cultural infrastructure, leaving many organizations "running on empty".
The Guardian

3. Friction with the Press and Regulators​

Nandy also drew fire from parts of the media sector for being overly interventionist. At the 2026 Society of Editors conference, she publicly attacked the press regulator IPSO, calling it ineffective because it only upholds a tiny fraction of complaints. This drew immediate pushback from regulators who accused her of misrepresenting how complaints are handled. Her open opposition to sitting politicians presenting news programmes also sparked debates over free speech and state overreach in broadcasting.
Press Gazette+ 1

The Verdict: Sector leaders viewed Nandy as a well-meaning, intelligent ally who stopped treating culture as an ideological battleground. However, pragmatists argue her tenure lacked the financial teeth or transformative policy breakthroughs to rescue a creative sector facing deep economic distress.
The Guardian

 

[secretsqirrel]

Streeting on Defence.

 

[briantrumpet]

Streeting on Defence.

Kind of surprised that Streeting got something but Darren Jones didn't. Similar vibes & ability to speak vaguely intelligently, both with RW baggage.

 

[Pblakeney]

You guys clinging on to hope, what are you like? It’s the hope that kills you.
Eeyore.

 

[Pross]

VAT being cut on household electricity (a huge £45 saving on average). This is going to confuse those who said Burnham was a Leftie who would raise tax. Or did they mean he’ll raise taxes on them?

 

[BoldonLad]

As housing secretary, would Rayner be expected to understand stamp duty?

Aren’t they going to scrap stamp duty and council tax, and replace with a property tax?

 

[BoldonLad]

VAT being cut on household electricity (a huge £45 saving on average). This is going to confuse those who said Burnham was a Leftie who would raise tax. Or did they mean he’ll raise taxes on them?

Maybe will find out who “the rich” are soon, when he raises their taxes?

 

[BoldonLad]

VAT being cut on household electricity (a huge £45 saving on average). This is going to confuse those who said Burnham was a Leftie who would raise tax. Or did they mean he’ll raise taxes on them?

Would have been a more significant saving to remove vat on gas, as well,

 

[Pblakeney]

Maybe will find out who “the rich” are soon, when he raises their taxes?

I wonder how many previously boasting about being rich will now be too poor to afford the new charges.