Election 2024

[Welshie]

AI WAR!!!

Andy Burnham’s political career is most widely praised for transforming public transport, championing regional devolution, and demonstrating strong crisis leadership. As a prominent UK Labour politician who has served as an MP, Cabinet Minister, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, his record spans national policy and local executive delivery. He is regularly noted for maintaining a net-positive public favorability rating, a rarity in modern British politics. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
His political achievements can be categorized across his major career chapters:

Local Delivery as Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–2026) [1]

• The Bee Network: He successfully brought Greater Manchester’s bus services back under public control via a franchising system. This integrated, London-style transport network capped fares and reversed the fragmentation caused by deregulation. [1, 2, 3]
• Devolution & Regional Growth: He utilized metro-mayoral powers to oversee a notable economic boom and urban rejuvenation across the city-region, modeling a vision he refers to as "Manchesterism". [1, 2]
• Crisis Management: He was widely commended for leading the city with dignity and coordination following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. He subsequently launched a globally recognized 10-year city resilience strategy. [1, 2]
• Standing Up for the Region: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he famously clashed with the central government over local lockdown funding. This fierce advocacy for local workers earned him the popular moniker "King of the North". [1, 2]
• Social Reforms: He established the Greater Manchester LGBT Adviser and Panel, implemented the regional LGBT Action Plan, and consistently voiced strong support for marginalized groups. [1]

National Legacy as an MP and Cabinet Minister (2001–2017)

• Hillsborough Justice: As Culture Secretary in 2009, Burnham actively championed the families of the Hillsborough disaster. He raised the issue directly in the Cabinet, which crucially paved the way for the launch of the second independent Hillsborough inquiry. [1, 2]
• Public Health Interventions: As Health Secretary under Gordon Brown, he capably steered the UK’s response to the 2009 swine flu pandemic and launched an independent inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS trust scandal. [1]
• Parliamentary Experience: Serving 16 years as the MP for Leigh, he gained extensive Westminster depth by holding shadow and ministerial posts across education, health, and home affairs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Contemporary Political Appeal

• Authentic Communication: Analysts frequently praise his relatable, conversational communication style, which stands in contrast to rigid, technocratic Westminster politicians. [1, 2]
• Bridge-Building: He occupies a unique ideological space within the Labour Party, holding credibility with the grassroots left while maintaining the administrative trust required by centrist MPs and external investors. This broad appeal was cemented by his victory in the Makerfield by-election, positioning him at the forefront of national politics. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

[brb]

 

[Welshie]

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For the record, I absolutely hate how the site now handles gifs.

 

[FosseFilberto]

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For the record, I absolutely hate how the site now handles gifs.

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[PINKIE]

Yes, Andy Burnham has been involved in several notable controversies throughout his political career, spanning his time as a Westminster Cabinet minister, a Labour leadership contender, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester. [1, 2, 3, 4]
His critics frequently point to a mix of policy decisions, handling of local policing scandals, and accusations of political opportunism. [1, 2, 3]

Greater Manchester Grooming Gangs and Local Reviews [1]
Burnham has faced severe criticism over his administration's handling of child sexual exploitation (CSE) scandals in Greater Manchester. Critics, including political opponents and survivor advocates, have accused him of resisting calls for a full statutory national inquiry for years, opting instead to commission non-statutory local assurance reviews like those into Operation Augusta. These local processes were labeled by detractors as insufficient and obstructive after key independent reviewers resigned over a lack of access to critical data, leading to angry public confrontations between survivors and the mayor. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone (CAZ)
As Mayor, Burnham faced an intense public backlash over the implementation of a regional Clean Air Zone. The scheme, which was intended to charge highly polluting vehicles, drew immense resistance from local business owners and motorists. Opponents labeled the move a "stealth tax," forcing Burnham to eventually suspend and redesign the policy. Commentators and former government advisors accused him of "political cowardice" for initially backing the policy but backtracking when public pressure intensified. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust Scandal [1]
During his tenure as Health Secretary under Gordon Brown (2009–2010), Burnham inherited and managed the fallout from the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal, where systemic institutional failures led to significant excess patient deaths. Though Burnham was never personally or officially censured, political rivals heavily criticised him for initially resisting a full public inquiry into the matter, arguing that the Department of Health under his leadership was overly focused on targets rather than patient safety. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Parliamentary Expenses Disclosures
During his time as an MP for Leigh, Burnham drew media scrutiny during the tail end of the parliamentary expenses scandals. Specifically, reports revealed that he had claimed thousands of pounds in taxpayer-funded rental expenses for a flat in London while simultaneously owning another property within walking distance of Westminster. Critics used the arrangement to challenge his "man of the people" image. [1, 2]

Accusations of "Political Chameleonism"
Mainstream media outlets, such as The Telegraph, have frequently accused Burnham of being a political chameleon whose policy stances shift depending on which way the political wind is blowing. Observers point to several notable policy pivots throughout his career: [1]

• The European Union: He stated a desire to rejoin the EU at a Labour conference, only to pivot weeks later to saying he was not proposing the UK consider rejoining after facing pushback from Eurosceptic northern constituencies. [1]
• WASPI Women Compensation: During leadership maneuvering, he publicly declared that women affected by state pension age changes deserved financial recompense, only for his spokesperson to swiftly roll back the comment a day later to align with tighter fiscal rules. [1, 2, 3]
• Welfare Reform: During his 2015 Labour leadership bid, he famously ordered his MPs to abstain from a controversial Conservative welfare bill, only to state minutes later that Labour could "not simply abstain" on welfare cuts, drawing ire from both the left and right of his party. [1]

^^^ Googled 'Andy Burnham controversies'

 

[PINKIE]

AI WAR!!!

Andy Burnham’s political career is most widely praised for transforming public transport, championing regional devolution, and demonstrating strong crisis leadership. As a prominent UK Labour politician who has served as an MP, Cabinet Minister, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, his record spans national policy and local executive delivery. He is regularly noted for maintaining a net-positive public favorability rating, a rarity in modern British politics. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
His political achievements can be categorized across his major career chapters:

Local Delivery as Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–2026) [1]

• The Bee Network: He successfully brought Greater Manchester’s bus services back under public control via a franchising system. This integrated, London-style transport network capped fares and reversed the fragmentation caused by deregulation. [1, 2, 3]
• Devolution & Regional Growth: He utilized metro-mayoral powers to oversee a notable economic boom and urban rejuvenation across the city-region, modeling a vision he refers to as "Manchesterism". [1, 2]
• Crisis Management: He was widely commended for leading the city with dignity and coordination following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. He subsequently launched a globally recognized 10-year city resilience strategy. [1, 2]
• Standing Up for the Region: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he famously clashed with the central government over local lockdown funding. This fierce advocacy for local workers earned him the popular moniker "King of the North". [1, 2]
• Social Reforms: He established the Greater Manchester LGBT Adviser and Panel, implemented the regional LGBT Action Plan, and consistently voiced strong support for marginalized groups. [1]

National Legacy as an MP and Cabinet Minister (2001–2017)

• Hillsborough Justice: As Culture Secretary in 2009, Burnham actively championed the families of the Hillsborough disaster. He raised the issue directly in the Cabinet, which crucially paved the way for the launch of the second independent Hillsborough inquiry. [1, 2]
• Public Health Interventions: As Health Secretary under Gordon Brown, he capably steered the UK’s response to the 2009 swine flu pandemic and launched an independent inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS trust scandal. [1]
• Parliamentary Experience: Serving 16 years as the MP for Leigh, he gained extensive Westminster depth by holding shadow and ministerial posts across education, health, and home affairs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Contemporary Political Appeal

• Authentic Communication: Analysts frequently praise his relatable, conversational communication style, which stands in contrast to rigid, technocratic Westminster politicians. [1, 2]
• Bridge-Building: He occupies a unique ideological space within the Labour Party, holding credibility with the grassroots left while maintaining the administrative trust required by centrist MPs and external investors. This broad appeal was cemented by his victory in the Makerfield by-election, positioning him at the forefront of national politics. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Lol and the flip side AI response

 

[brb]

^^^ Googled 'Andy Burnham controversies'

Lol and the flip side AI response

Got to love AI for a laugh.

Just don't bomb any supposed Iranian military positions using it.

 

[PINKIE]

Got to love AI for a laugh.

Just don't bomb any supposed Iranian military positions using it.

Trump

'Where do the Iranians keep their nukes'

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[Big Ern]

Trump

'Where do the Iranians keep their nukes'

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With their armies, up their sleevies?
in b4 fosse.

 

[Archers Road]

To be fair, I only used to go out that way when Arsenal were playing either Wimbledon or Chelsea.

And then later taking girls on a date to Kew Gardens and a nice cafe

I’m sure it’s got its pockets of crime like most London areas. But overall that whole stretch of river from Chelsea west is posh as ****.

You wanna try the river heading east from Bermondsey all the way out to Thamesmead if you want proper rough endz

I used to go out with a girl from South Bermondsey, many moons ago. Had to schlep across from Wood Green to Whitechapel, then take a branch lime service to Surrey Docks station (renamed Surrey Quays now apparently) .The whole experience was like stepping back in time, even then. Her local park was full of heavily tattooed geezers (long before tatts became popular and your bank manager got one) walking what looked like Bill Sykes dog.

Some great boozers tho iirc. One called the Prince of Orange had live jazz every night of the week. My mate Belfast Mick refused to go with me once, as he wasn't stepping in any pub called the Prince of Orange.

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

My PM <3. Lovely cool finish to break the deadlock.

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[PINKIE]

I used to go out with a girl from South Bermondsey, many moons ago. Had to schlep across from Wood Green to Whitechapel, then take a branch lime service to Surrey Docks station (renamed Surrey Quays now apparently) .The whole experience was like stepping back in time, even then. Her local park was full of heavily tattooed geezers (long before tatts became popular and your bank manager got one) walking what looked like Bill Sykes dog.

Some great boozers tho iirc. One called the Prince of Orange had live jazz every night of the week. My mate Belfast Mick refused to go with me once, as he wasn't stepping in any pub called the Prince of Orange.

Yeah lots of good pubs around that area and moving out of docklands into the city. The further east you go though it gets decidedly skankier and rougher. Especially along the river towards Camberwell, Deptford, Woolwich and Thamesmead.

It made me laugh sucky talking about how his endz were crime ridden ****holes full of machete wielding Muslims, when that stretch from Chelsea through Putney out towards Fulham and Chiswick is one of the poshest and most affluent areas of London.

Funny that your Belfast mate wouldn’t go into a pub with the name Orange in it lol

 

[FosseFilberto]

Farage says £5m gift spending details 'not public's business'

Rival parties have raised concerns over the gift received by the Reform UK leader before he became an MP.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[brb]

Farage says £5m gift spending details 'not public's business'

Rival parties have raised concerns over the gift received by the Reform UK leader before he became an MP.

www.bbc.co.uk

Pretty sure this is the interview I saw yesterday, turned into a right little spat. As that's a BBC article, was wondering when I would have been watching BBC, and of course it would be before or after the World Cup football.

He refused to say quite abruptly what he's spent it on or what he's intending to spend it on. Although the interviewer reminded him it's subject to Parliamentary investigation.

Dodgy as ****.

 

[Welshie]

Pretty sure this is the interview I saw yesterday, turned into a right little spat. As that's a BBC article, was wondering when I would have been watching BBC, and of course it would be before or after the World Cup football.

He refused to say quite abruptly what he's spent it on or what he's intending to spend it on. Although the interviewer reminded him it's subject to Parliamentary investigation.

Dodgy as ****.

His acolytes won't give a ****, they'll follow him off a cliff.

 

[FosseFilberto]

His acolytes won't give a ****, they'll follow him off a cliff.

Tristan Chutney-Lemmings has already defected to Restore ...

 

[Welshie]

See Al Carns is the only person in the entire Labour Party even suggesting he might run against Burnham.

I don't really know much about Carns apart from he's popular on The Rest is Politics, of course I know he was a Royal Marine.

I imagine he might suggest having a Scot as the PM will help them win the Scottish vote, but I honestly think the SNP being **** will do more to help in that department. Especially when Stephen Flynn stabs Swinney in the back.

Wondering what peoples opinion on the idea of someone being a military man making more or less suitable for a government position, being a soldier is something Dan Jarvis, Carns etc seem to base their entire personality/political career around.

 

[Solid Air]

See Al Carns is the only person in the entire Labour Party even suggesting he might run against Burnham.

I don't really know much about Carns apart from he's popular on The Rest is Politics, of course I know he was a Royal Marine.

I imagine he might suggest having a Scot as the PM will help them win the Scottish vote, but I honestly think the SNP being **** will do more to help in that department. Especially when Stephen Flynn stabs Swinney in the back.

Wondering what peoples opinion on the idea of someone being a military man making more or less suitable for a government position, being a soldier is something Dan Jarvis, Carns etc seem to base their entire personality/political career around.

not a lot tbh
the normal spiel is I had to lead a team to get a job done and it was up to me to plan it and organise the team which sounds pretty much like lots of jobs apart from the fact in most jobs you tend not to be in much danger .