Starmer's vision quest

[CXRAndy]

Trump has legal power to veto Chagos deal,

Government admits
Surrender plan will collapse if US refuses to rip up 60-year-old defence treaty with Britain, letter reveals

 

[Stevo 666]

They’ve got a potential mess on their hands now with Burnham. He’s asked to be allowed to stand in the by-election, if the National Executive refuse it will create infighting but if they allow him to stand he could become a thorn in Starmer’s side. That said, I can’t see it going down well with voters if he gets elected and then goes after the leadership. It doesn’t look very trustworthy. Throw in they could end up losing the seat and the mayoral role and it could be a disaster.

So no upside for Labour which ever way it goes. Sounds good.

 

[CXRAndy]

Assessment is on Burnham
Block his attempt to be an MP, make him a martyr, cause internal fighting.

Let him be a candidate, he wins and not too far in the future either directly makes an attempt to oust starmer or waits for starmer to be toppled then make his move.

Final and hope option, welcome Burnhams candidacy and hope he loses at the polls- which is possible

 

[Beebo]

Throw in they could end up losing the seat and the mayoral role and it could be a disaster.

I don’t think they can lose both.
If he loses the bye election he just skulks back to be mayor, but weaker. Next mayor election is 2028.
It’s a massive call, especially when Labour are so unliked.

 

[C R]

I don’t think they can lose both.
If he loses the bye election he just skulks back to be mayor, but weaker. Next mayor election is 2028.
It’s a massive call, especially when Labour are so unliked.

Doesn't he have to resign as mayor to run?

 

[CXRAndy]

Yes, I believe so

No monkey handshakes allowed

 

[TailWindHome]

Doesn't he have to resign as mayor to run?

I believe that's why he needs permission to put himself forward to stand

 

[Pross]

I don’t think they can lose both.
If he loses the bye election he just skulks back to be mayor, but weaker. Next mayor election is 2028.
It’s a massive call, especially when Labour are so unliked.

The reporting I heard is he has to resign to stand for parliament, one of the reasons being given for potentially refusing his request to stand is the cost of running a mayoral election on top of a by-election.

 

[AndyRM]

I don’t think they can lose both.
If he loses the bye election he just skulks back to be mayor, but weaker. Next mayor election is 2028.
It’s a massive call, especially when Labour are so unliked.

Hold up. I was under the impression that lefties on this forum love Labour and never criticise them?

Are you breaking rank, comrade?

 

[Psamathe]

They’ve got a potential mess on their hands now with Burnham. He’s asked to be allowed to stand in the by-election, if the National Executive refuse it will create infighting but if they allow him to stand he could become a thorn in Starmer’s side. That said, I can’t see it going down well with voters if he gets elected and then goes after the leadership. It doesn’t look very trustworthy. Throw in they could end up losing the seat and the mayoral role and it could be a disaster.

I find it disappointing that the central party control is in effect determining who can be chosen by a local consituency to represent those in that consituency. Same for many political parties but an MP is a representative of their electorate/consituency so why are central party committees, etc. constraining things?

It's yet another example of the trend for ever more central/leadership control. Like the whips system where MPs are required to do as their leader says rather than fulfil their job of representing their constituency. eg Home Secretary now seeking to take more powers to control local Police forces rather than leave it in the hands of locally elected representatives.

 

[Stevo 666]

Hold up. I was under the impression that lefties on this forum love Labour and never criticise them?

Are you breaking rank, comrade?

That's not the case - Labour are far too right wing for some people 🙂

 

[CXRAndy]

Yes, I believe so

No monkey handshakes allowed

Correction

But crucially, they can stand as a candidate while still mayor — the disqualification kicks in only if they win and take up the MP seat.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Doesn't he have to resign as mayor to run?

On Friday that was asserted as fact but current version seems to be that he has to resign as Mayor if elected.

 

[Pblakeney]

I find it disappointing that the central party control is in effect determining who can be chosen by a local consituency to represent those in that consituency. Same for many political parties but an MP is a representative of their electorate/consituency so why are central party committees, etc. constraining things?

It's yet another example of the trend for ever more central/leadership control. Like the whips system where MPs are required to do as their leader says rather than fulfil their job of representing their constituency. eg Home Secretary now seeking to take more powers to control local Police forces rather than leave it in the hands of locally elected representatives.

In simple terms (which I think is wrong), MPs represent their party, not their constituents.