Best Of

It seems to me that Labour’s best hope is a coronation of Burnham who starts a new agenda in the maximum time available.

I cannot see the advantage to a leadership contest in this case.

I'm intrigued by how far electoral Reform could go without the need for a Referendum etc. There were some things in the 2024 Labour Manifesto.

The Elections Act 2022 brought in things which went beyond the letter of the 2019 Conservative Manifesto afaics in a number of respects, as well as specific manifesto pledges, so I think there is some scope - though I'm not sure how much.

The sensible first step would be to move to STV for local council elections, which could be done quickly; as you say, the Tories removed a preferential/transferable vote without a refendum; indeed I don't even recall a vote in parliament and wonder whether it was done by ministerial regulation?

Inflation unchanged.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-steady-despite-iran-conflict-fuel-prices

Can someone remind me once again when it was we were supposed to be going cap in hand to the IMF?

There's also this, which might even be true ?
(Treat with large pinch of salt.)

https://x.com/NewSamawal/status/2066527500201492710
The US secretly approved a financial and maritime arrangement between Qatar and Iran, under which billions of dollars were paid to Tehran in exchange for free passage for Qatari tankers and ships through the Strait of Hormuz, three diplomatic officials now confirm.

This was a deliberate and conscious course of action by the US administration, which allowed its navy to turn a blind eye to the arrangement, in complete contradiction of its declared policy. The move was intended to ease the crisis in global energy markets and curb rising oil prices.

Oh it is true, Trump is showing how he went bankrupt running a casino.

China, regarding the Malacca Strait, will be closely looking at the concept if Trump's idiotic action sees a return to tolls through narrow shipping lanes. Also, potentially, the Houthis, the Danes, and us alongside the French for the Channel.

As somebody who has a vote in the Greater Manchester mayoral election I have noticed a lot of Labour adverts about this in the last few days on my social media accounts.

What would be the timescale for a mayoral election? Presumably asap from a Lab pov to take advantage of a rapidly withering Burnham honeymoon.

According to the BBC 30th July has been identified. A time when a few million Mancunians will be off getting a tan with their school age children and the Reform voting pensioners are still around.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lyp8k03gdo


I think the issue raises interesting tactical matters. For example, if a Labour leadership contest is going on at then same time, how much would a Reform win/Labour win in Manchester affect judgments about Burnham.

Surely they’re not that silly, as to try and hold a by-election in the middle of the school summer holidays?

Inflation unchanged.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/uk-inflation-steady-despite-iran-conflict-fuel-prices

Can someone remind me once again when it was we were supposed to be going cap in hand to the IMF?

There's also this, which might even be true ?
(Treat with large pinch of salt.)

https://x.com/NewSamawal/status/2066527500201492710
The US secretly approved a financial and maritime arrangement between Qatar and Iran, under which billions of dollars were paid to Tehran in exchange for free passage for Qatari tankers and ships through the Strait of Hormuz, three diplomatic officials now confirm.

This was a deliberate and conscious course of action by the US administration, which allowed its navy to turn a blind eye to the arrangement, in complete contradiction of its declared policy. The move was intended to ease the crisis in global energy markets and curb rising oil prices.