The Pygge

The Pygge is the New Statesman's gossip columnist, spreading mischief and mayhem wherever they go. Email tips and party invites to [email protected]

[The Pygge @ThePygge]

https://t.co/GXWfcp0rmH

[The Pygge @ThePygge]

Is Your Party planning a joint march with Stop the Boats protesters?

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Read more: https://t.co/BN8hlWitUs

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Who sent a bogus email to Labour MPs today?

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@ThePygge Read now: https://t.co/rjTGPFBHpG

[The Pygge @ThePygge]

Liz Kendall’s all-American AI school

[Ethan Croft @EthanCroft98]

Peston also now reporting what the @ThePygge heard last night

Always read the Pygge https://t.co/8rNmJjt1w4

[The Pygge @ThePygge]

@ThePygge Read on: https://t.co/jWCmyar1aU

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The one word Darren Jones can't say: R*form

The government is making a “deliberate effort” not to name their rivals

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Second complaint letter as Burnham backlash continues

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@ThePygge Read: https://t.co/4EO7RnypJb

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Burnham blocking has caused “anxiety and anger”, MPs warn

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@ThePygge Read here: https://t.co/BJN3bj4AkK

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Revealed: The Guardian’s secret plan

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@ThePygge read now:

https://t.co/Znu1NJUHgF

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Second complaint letter as Burnham backlash continues

[megan kenyon @meganekenyon]

Excl: Zack Polanski will not stand as the Green Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

A Green Party source told @NewStatesman that whoever is chosen as the party’s candidate will be selected by the local party.

[Ethan Croft @EthanCroft98]

🚨NEW Majority of Manchester voters polled say Labour "wrong" to block Burnham in exclusive polling in @NewStatesman👇

54% say Labour "wrong" to block Burnham's bid (8% say it's "right")

62% say Burnham should be "free to seek selection as an MP"

53% agree with the claim that "petty personal or factional politics" are behind the decision to block Burnham

50% say they would interpret the decision as a sign of weakness from Labour (5% say it shows strength)

Just 7% agree with the NEC's stated reason that a mayoral by-election would be an expensive incovenience for locals

33% even say the party blocking Burnham would make them "less likely" to vote Labour

The poll is also the latest to suggest a Burnham candidacy would help Labour beat Reform in Gorton and Denton

Comes amid political backlash across Labour today about the leadership's decision to bar Burnham

The polling of 1,000 GMCA residents was carried out rapidly over the past 48 hours in Manchester by @FindoutnowUK

[Ethan Croft @EthanCroft98]

In the knifing of Burnham, no senior Labour politician got blood on their hands. Shabana Mahmood, shielded by convention, chaired the crucial NEC meeting but did not vote (on the morning media round she had praised Burnham as an “exceptional politician”). Deputy Leader Lucy Powell, unsurprisingly, cast a lonely vote for Burnham. Wes Streeting condemned the anonymous briefings against Burnham as “disgraceful” and, without endorsing Burnham’s run, said the party needed “the best possible candidate” in Gorton and Denton. Ed Miliband said Burnham should be allowed to stand. So did Sadiq Khan. Those publicly trashing Burnham’s run were a selection of backbenchers. The figures on the NEC who voted to block Burnham are not household names. This is a decision that will be entirely put at the door of Keir Starmer. And if this decision results in the loss a safe Labour seat, in the party’s heartland of Greater Manchester, the Prime Minister will find that it is very, very lonely at the top.

[Tom McTague @TomMcTague]

A reminder: Andy Burnham’s plan for Britain👇 https://t.co/hVxVznN66p