kathy 💙

Community activist, Labour Party member, gardener, grandma and former Early Years advisory teacher.

[Mark Stephens @MarksLarks]

It’s Calmer with Starmer

[Gordon Fielden @GordonFielden]

Claire, you're doing a fine job.

Most of these Parliamentary Labour MPs have not consulted their constituents before making many of the statements and announcements we have heard over recent months. Like most organisations, whether in politics or the trade union movement, there is always a tendency for people to listen more closely to the group around them than to the people they are supposed to represent.

The truth is that even Andy Burnham now appears to be slowing down his timetable, talking about supporting a successor in Greater Manchester before making any further moves. That in itself perhaps tells us something about the realities of the situation.

What is often missing from this debate is any consideration of the consequences. If Greater Manchester were to move away from Labour politically after Burnham's departure, what would that say about his record and leadership credentials? These are perfectly reasonable questions, yet they rarely seem to be asked.

Parliamentary Labour MPs should also be careful what they wish for. If Andy Burnham does win the by-election and does eventually trigger a leadership contest, the final decision will rest with Labour members. Those MPs who have rushed to take sides may yet discover that the membership reaches a very different conclusion from the one being discussed in Westminster circles.

The old saying comes to mind: empty vessels make the most noise.

[Gordon Fielden @GordonFielden]

Does this change the optics in Starmer's favour?

I think it probably does.

Last Friday, Andy Burnham appeared on Newsnight and, for someone presenting himself as a potential Prime Minister, it was hardly a convincing performance. He struggled when questioned about Rachel Reeves's fiscal rules and, more importantly, did not appear to understand what those fiscal rules actually were. For a politician seeking the highest office in the land, that was a significant moment.

Fast forward a few days and Newsnight is now reporting that, during a Cabinet meeting, Keir Starmer made it abundantly clear to his ministers that he is going nowhere. If a leadership contest is triggered, he intends to fight it and intends to win it. The fact that this was said directly to Cabinet is important. It was not a briefing, a rumour or a comment from an ally. It was the Prime Minister setting out his position to his government.

There are also reports that some Labour MPs who had previously been sympathetic to Burnham are now becoming more cautious following his recent media appearances and the growing scrutiny of his policy positions. Whether that is a reaction to his Newsnight interview, concerns about the practicalities of a leadership challenge, pressure from constituents, or a combination of all three, the assumption that support for Burnham is growing inexorably appears far less certain than some commentators would have us believe.

At the same time, Burnham now appears to be stepping back from the idea of an immediate leadership challenge. We are told that, should he win the by-election, he intends to focus first on helping Labour retain the Greater Manchester mayoralty before considering any move against Starmer.

That raises a number of interesting questions. Burnham has repeatedly described being Mayor of Greater Manchester as the job he loved and the role he wanted. Yet if Labour struggles to retain that mayoralty after his departure, and Reform emerges as the main beneficiary, what does that say about his record and leadership credentials?

Meanwhile, Burnham has not won the by-election. No leadership contest has been called. Labour members have not cast a single vote. Yet parts of the media continue to write as though the outcome is already known.

Politics can change quickly. What looked inevitable a few weeks ago suddenly looks far less certain. The more scrutiny Burnham receives, the more Labour members, MPs and voters may begin asking whether he is really the answer to a question many of them were not asking in the first place.

[Emily Thornberry @EmilyThornberry]

In 2023 I announced a Labour government would reform outdated cohabitation laws to grant equal rights to unmarried couples.

Seeing that promised in our 2024 manifesto remains one of my proudest moments as Shadow AG.

I’m delighted to see the government finally taking action!

[Clare Hepworth OBE @Hepworthclare]

Compare & contrast.
In his Makerfield campaign for the Labour L/ship - Burnham has an interesting didactic exchange re the colour of his Tshirt
In the meantime the PM Keir Starmer is holding high level talks in No10- with Zelensky, Macron and Merz - regarding the war in Ukraine.

[Mike H @mikoh123]

Mick Lynch on Reform & Restore ‘they are all as despicable as each other to me & working class people should turn away from the hatred they spread … you believe in isolating people & taking advantage of poverty so you can divide them & make your friends even richer.’
#newsnight

[Gordon Fielden @GordonFielden]

Does this change the optics in Starmer's favour?
I think it probably does.

Last Friday, Andy Burnham appeared on Newsnight and, for someone presenting himself as a potential Prime Minister, it was hardly a convincing performance.

He struggled when questioned about Rachel Reeves's fiscal rules and, more importantly, did not appear to understand what those fiscal rules actually were. For a politician seeking the highest office in the land, that was a significant moment.

Fast forward a few days and Newsnight is now reporting that, during a Cabinet meeting, Keir Starmer made it abundantly clear to his ministers that he is going nowhere. If a leadership contest is triggered, he intends to fight it and intends to win it. The fact that this was said directly to Cabinet is important. It was not a briefing, a rumour or a comment from an ally. It was the Prime Minister setting out his position to his government.

There are also reports that some Labour MPs who had previously been sympathetic to Burnham are now becoming more cautious following his recent media appearances and the growing scrutiny of his policy positions. Whether that is a reaction to his Newsnight interview, concerns about the practicalities of a leadership challenge, pressure from constituents, or a combination of all three, the assumption that support for Burnham is growing inexorably appears far less certain than some commentators would have us believe.

At the same time, Burnham now appears to be stepping back from the idea of an immediate leadership challenge. We are told that, should he win the by-election, he intends to focus first on helping Labour retain the Greater Manchester mayoralty before considering any move against Starmer.

That raises a number of interesting questions. Burnham has repeatedly described being Mayor of Greater Manchester as the job he loved and the role he wanted. Yet if Labour struggles to retain that mayoralty after his departure, and Reform emerges as the main beneficiary, what does that say about his record and leadership credentials?

Meanwhile, Burnham has not won the by-election. No leadership contest has been called. Labour members have not cast a single vote. Yet parts of the media continue to write as though the outcome is already known.

Politics can change quickly. What looked inevitable a few weeks ago suddenly looks far less certain. The more scrutiny Burnham receives, the more Labour members, MPs and voters may begin asking whether he is really the answer to a question many of them were not asking in the first place.

[Gordon Fielden @GordonFielden]

Of course it can be reversed, and one would expect a Labour government under Sir Keir Starmer to address the issue early in 2029 through a new referendum. If that were to happen, it should be conducted under precisely the same criteria established by the Conservatives for the 2016 vote, namely a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one vote.

Those who argued that such a margin was sufficient to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union could hardly object to the same democratic threshold being applied to a decision on whether to rejoin.

[Gordon Fielden @GordonFielden]

This appears to be yet another attempt by The Guardian to influence the Labour leadership debate. The reality is that Andy Burnham is not polling particularly well and is facing a far more difficult path than many expected. At the same time, thousands of Labour members are making their views known and a growing number are signalling their intention to keep Keir Starmer in place.

The more important question is what happens to the Labour Party and the Parliamentary Labour Party if the membership gets its way and backs the current leadership. The trade unions and sections of the Left need to recognise that there is a significant difference between online noise and the wider mood of both the public and Labour members.

Yes, there is plenty of drivel, abuse and constant commentary from the Right, but volume does not equal majority opinion. The loudest voices are often the smallest groups. What matters is where Labour members and the wider electorate stand, and increasingly there is evidence that many are choosing stability, unity and a government focused on delivering results rather than returning to internal ideological battles.

If Labour is to win again, it will be because it listens to the mainstream of its membership and the country, not because it chases the demands of a vocal minority on either side of the political divide.

[Gordon Fielden @GordonFielden]

I'm fearful, Angela, that you will now find yourself consigned to the backbenches for the remainder of this Parliament. It is a real shame, because you are a talented politician who made one significant error and have paid a very heavy price for it. The media then turned on both you and Sir Keir Starmer, and the consequences have been damaging for you both.

I had hoped that, once you received a clean bill of health regarding the allegations against you, and it became clear that there had been no deliberate wrongdoing despite what parts of the press suggested, you would eventually return to government. I believe that would have been thoroughly deserved.

Instead of backing Sir Keir Starmer, you chose to support Andy Burnham in a challenge to his leadership. In doing so, you have attached yourself to a project that offers little beyond personal ambition. Burnham has presented himself as an alternative leader, yet has failed to set out policies or ideas that are materially different, and many of his aspirations could not realistically be delivered within the lifetime of this Parliament. In the space of just a few weeks, he has reversed position on so many issues that it is difficult to know what he genuinely stands for.

I think there is going to be a considerable shock when ordinary Labour Party members, rather than trade union leaders, give their verdict. My view is that they will back Starmer overwhelmingly in any leadership contest.

I have no objection to Andy Burnham serving as a Member of Parliament, or even joining the Government. However, this kind of disloyalty towards a sitting Labour Prime Minister is not something that will be easily forgotten. If Starmer survives, and I believe he will, the political consequences for those who sought to remove him may prove permanent.

[Clare Hepworth OBE @Hepworthclare]

I'm caught in a "Catch 22" dilemma.
I do not want Labour to lose the Makerfield seat.
And I certainly detest the possibility of a ReformUKLtd win.
But I'm a democrat
I cannot agree with the actions of Andy Burnham & his intention to depose a democratically elected Labour PM.

[kathy 💙 @kbatten36]

Free legal advice
#sarahsackman
#eastfinchley
#communitygarden

[Clare Hepworth OBE @Hepworthclare]

And how would he propose to do that ?
Doesn't he get the complexities of the present ownership and the associated complexities of the related stakeholders ?
Obviously not.

[Darren Jones MP @darrenpjones]

I've been at City Hall meeting with Bristol's new Lord Mayor - who also chairs the Downs Committee - to make the case against charging community groups to use the Downs.

The Lord Mayor has now promised to raise these concerns at next week's committee meeting.

[David Lammy @DavidLammy]

3.5 million unmarried couples living together in the UK stand to gain stronger protections under Labour.

Too many couples have limited rights if their relationship ends or their partner dies - even after years together or raising children.

Labour is consulting on reforms to improve financial security, strengthen protections for survivors of domestic abuse and create a fairer system that reflects modern relationships.

[Iain Dale 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 ⚒️ @IainDale]

This interview on @bbcnewsnight with @vicderbyshire is an absolute car crash for Andy Burnham. All over the place. No clue about 'fiscal rules', tetchy, unable to answer basic questions. Why do some people see him as the Messiah who can save Labour?

[ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret]

Any chance you lot could one day be on the side of decent British people against far right Americans who have nothing better to do than spread hate and division around the world? Or is this what Rupert wants?

[Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer]

82 years ago, on the beaches of Normandy, brave British and Allied forces changed the course of history forever.

We must never forget the service and sacrifice of those courageous men and women.

Our debt to them can never be repaid.

[Clare Hepworth OBE @Hepworthclare]

That sounds very hollow Andy - given we all know - and you confirmed last night (after dropping Wes in it) that your objective in dumping Manchester is to challenge KS for the Leadership & become P.M.
How divisive is that ?
Or are you so blinkered you don't care.

[Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer]

A true giant in journalism, Jon Snow has spent his life asking difficult questions and telling important stories.

Now, in sharing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he is helping others feel less alone and raising awareness of a condition that affects so many families.