Makerfield by election

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Whatever Burnham is or isn't, prepared to be disappointed. He's the latest in a long line of mediocrities from either side.of the house whose only real credentials are that he isn't Starmer, who himself wasn't Corbyn and then wasn't Sunak. What's his appeal? Being a bit blokey and vaguely more human than Starmer? Whoopee fücking doo.

Name us a PM them who excites you? Genuine question. If you can't, you have two choices, don't vote or sign yourself up to a political party and go and stand for local office. I am not being glib by the way, if you really don't like what is on offer and think you can do a good job, put yourself forward.

 

[briantrumpet]

Whatever Burnham is or isn't, prepared to be disappointed. He's the latest in a long line of mediocrities from either side.of the house whose only real credentials are that he isn't Starmer, who himself wasn't Corbyn and then wasn't Sunak. What's his appeal? Being a bit blokey and vaguely more human than Starmer? Whoopee fücking doo.

No-one's arguing he's the Messiah. We've got used to disappointment.

 

[Shortfall]

Name us a PM them who excites you? Genuine question. If you can't, you have two choices, don't vote or sign yourself up to a political party and go and stand for local office. I am not being glib by the way, if you really don't like what is on offer and think you can do a good job, put yourself forward.

Really? Ffs!!!! You know how these things work right?

 

[briantrumpet]

None of the current likely candidates. Sorry if that's a cop out. I did say at the last General Election that Sunak would probably be the least worst and I still stand by that.

Any achievements of his you'd care to name?

As I've said before (and it's a pity we can't search it), several CS posters had vaguely positive hopes about Sunak (usual suspects not included, including Loon, of course), but he straight away turned to government-by-trolling. His only policies seemed to be predicated on outraging non-Tories. His rain-soaked throwing-in of the towel was deeply symptomatic.

 

[briantrumpet]

Another way to put it is that in a multi party system, being most hated matters more than being most popular.

Phrased slightly differently...

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Really? Ffs!!!! You know how these things work right?

Why not, I know people who joined their preferred party and stood in local elections. They didn't win seats but at least they had a go. If you don't have a party affiliation, stand as an independent. I am not necessarily talking about being an MP here, but any of us have the opportunity to try and do something locally.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I think if a new cabinet can coalesce around a more hopeful, less Reformy programme, there are some decently nimble minds to draw on, who could articulate a positive vision that could (ironically) focus voters' minds not only on the progressive things that Starmer's Labour has done, but also away from the constant negativity about immigration, and how it's dominated the news (not least as Starmer and Mahmood banged on about it so much).

I think this is why you don't necessarily need a Burnham in every constituency. You need a clear policy platform and to build a record of delivering that people on the left (and those on the centre right) can get behind and feel represents their beliefs.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Any achievements of his you'd care to name?

As I've said before (and it's a pity we can't search it), several CS posters had vaguely positive hopes about Sunak (usual suspects not included, including Loon, of course), but he straight away turned to government-by-trolling. His only policies seemed to be predicated on outraging non-Tories. His rain-soaked throwing-in of the towel was deeply symptomatic.

Even I said Sunak had the potential to be so much better than he was. As you say, he just carried on where Johnson and Truss left off. I still don't really know why he did, he had a brain but seemingly chose not to use it.

 

[briantrumpet]

Even I said Sunak had the potential to be so much better than he was. As you say, he just carried on where Johnson and Truss left off. I still don't really know why he did, he had a brain but seemingly chose not to use it.

His only achievement seemed to be that he was neither Johnson (lazy, dishonest, law-breaking charlatan) nor mad-as-a-box-of-juiced-up-frogs Truss.

 

[Pross]

Even I said Sunak had the potential to be so much better than he was. As you say, he just carried on where Johnson and Truss left off. I still don't really know why he did, he had a brain but seemingly chose not to use it.

I think he had almost the same issue as Starmer. Before getting the job he appeared to be a potentially moderate and sensible PM but as soon as he got the top job was under the control of others and lacked the backbone to push back. The difference was that in his case it was the majority of the parliamentary Party controlling the strings whereas Starmer only needs to stand up to a couple of supposed advisors and possibly a handful of MPs.

 

[bobzmyunkle]

I think he had almost the same issue as Starmer. Before getting the job he appeared to be a potentially moderate and sensible PM but as soon as he got the top job was under the control of others and lacked the backbone to push back. The difference was that in his case it was the majority of the parliamentary Party controlling the strings whereas Starmer only needs to stand up to a couple of supposed advisors and possibly a handful of MPs.

We can only judge them by their actions.
It'll be interesting to see if Burnham can break free of the neo-liberal authoritarians that appear to be pulling Starmer's strings. Or to what extent he has that intention.

 

[bobzmyunkle]

My initial thought when Josh Simons stood down was that Burnham was being set up. Where's Simons now - well ensconced in the Burnham inner circle.

 

[Pross]

We can only judge them by their actions.
It'll be interesting to see if Burnham can break free of the neo-liberal authoritarians that appear to be pulling Starmer's strings. Or to what extent he has that intention.

You would think he is astute enough that he will know there’s no point in doing all this and then simply following the path Starmer has decided to take. There’s plenty of time to change to the path the majority of Labour voters thought they’d chosen. Whether they achieve anything is another matter, especially having wasted two years chasing Reform votes.

 

[winjim]

Disappointing result as Burnham fully deserved to have his arse handed to him. It'll happen in three years' time I suppose. Disgusting little wretch.