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Today’s high noon for Andy Burnham (well 5pm) – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,906
edited 10:01AM in General
Today’s high noon for Andy Burnham (well 5pm) – politicalbetting.com

The very swift timetable for the Gorton and Denton ?@UKLabour? candidate selection The actual by election likely end of Feb ?@AndyBurnhamGM? has until tomorrow at 5pm to ‘seek permission’ from the NEC to stand (all sitting mayors need permission) pic.twitter.com/B8L2UnlFqB

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Comments

  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 59,492
    First past the post?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 60,173
    edited 10:07AM
    First

    The best result for Andy Burnham is to get told no, or blocked via shortlist comedy.

    Then campaign enthusiastically for whoever is picked.

    That would increase his popularity with all sections of the Labour Party.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 16,405
    Zugzwang for Burnham?
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,180
    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 133,213
    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,180
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    There’s a few littered in the text too !!
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,423
    Can the Mayor stand?

    Computer says no...
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,180
    He’s a fully grown adult !!


    ‘ NEW York mayor Zohran Mamdani has been sent a baby box by the Scottish Government.’

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/25790685.zohran-mamdani-given-baby-box-scottish-government/
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 16,405
    Burnham's best move is to not get involved.

    But if he does Starmer's best move is to let events take their course and not block him.

    For the political watcher a Burnham/Galloway/Reform/Polanski by election would be box office.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,423
    Taz said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    There’s a few littered in the text too !!
    Are those looking for them The Searchers?
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,337
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Once Upon a Time in the North West.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 31,837
    edited 10:26AM
    Battlebus said:

    Leon said:

    We should go back to the system where basically half the countries in the world had union jacks in the corners of their flags because Britain

    You make a good point. Perhaps we should ask Hawaii if they want to reorder the parts of their flag. And suggest they join the Commonwealth.


    This is the " @Leon 's coming on holiday" flag:


  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 59,492
    algarkirk said:

    Burnham's best move is to not get involved.

    But if he does Starmer's best move is to let events take their course and not block him.

    For the political watcher a Burnham/Galloway/Reform/Polanski by election would be box office.

    This is setting itself up to be quite the by-election.

    Reform can probably find a former Tory MP to stand, Tories and LDs will probably run paper candidates.

    Galloway is living overseas IIRC, will he want to come back in order to stand?

    Polanski definitely has to contend pretty much every by-election himself, having become leader of the party while not in Parliament.
  • AugustusCarp2AugustusCarp2 Posts: 560
    Northern_Al said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Once Upon a Time in the North West.
    The Good, the Bad and the NEC
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    Northern_Al said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Once Upon a Time in the North West.
    I was really proud of that one.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 59,492
    MarqueeMark said:

    Can the Mayor stand?

    Computer says no...

    Oh I’m sorry Mr Burnham, your message ended up in the spam trap on the mail server and the admin wasn’t in the office until Monday.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,337
    I expect there to be seven candidates in the by-election.
    The Magnificent Seven.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,337
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Northern_Al said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Once Upon a Time in the North West.
    I was really proud of that one.
    Oops - I hadn't realised you'd put that in when I posted it. Sorry.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 2,307
    BACO
  • Clutch_BromptonClutch_Brompton Posts: 823
    Burnham probably has the bast chance of reviving Lab. Whatever happens Starmer and the idiots surrounding him are on borrowed time. Blocking Burnham just means a less likely 'saviour' will replace the PM. This is what happens when you move from Cabinet Government to a centralised No 10 regime. It happened under Thatcher, Major, Blair, May, Johnson and Truss. Sunak and Brown avoided it only because it was too late to dump them. Meanwhile the country has suffered from massive short-termism on all sides. There is a reason Reform UK are doing well in the polls - despite the fact they would just be more of the same but turned up to ELEVEN!

    Oh - As Starmer faces his Alamo could Burnham find Lab their El Dorado and make them the Undefeated. Or will they remain The Searchers? Will they face a fearsome assault from Ed Davey and his Comancheros? Alright the last bit might be stretching it.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,337
    algarkirk said:

    Burnham's best move is to not get involved.

    But if he does Starmer's best move is to let events take their course and not block him.

    For the political watcher a Burnham/Galloway/Reform/Polanski by election would be box office.

    It would. The Wild Bunch?
  • AugustusCarp2AugustusCarp2 Posts: 560
    Northern_Al said:

    I expect there to be seven candidates in the by-election.
    The Magnificent Seven.

    A Bonanza for one of them.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 36,714
    MarqueeMark said:

    Can the Mayor stand?

    Computer says no...

    No, so a mayoral by election and a Reform Metropolitan Mayor.

    Maybe it's 12D chess and Labour are betting the house on Manchester being like Gaza by 2029 after three Reform years.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,423
    edited 10:34AM
    MattW said:

    Battlebus said:

    Leon said:

    We should go back to the system where basically half the countries in the world had union jacks in the corners of their flags because Britain

    You make a good point. Perhaps we should ask Hawaii if they want to reorder the parts of their flag. And suggest they join the Commonwealth.


    This is the " @Leon 's coming on holiday" flag:


    Is that woman preparing Molotov cocktails? Seems...an extreme measure for the arrival of Leon.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,864
    Disappointed there is no The Good, The Bad and The Ugly reference :disappointed: Or is that being saved for the actual by election?

    (I'm not sure who would fill which role!)
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,353
    Northern_Al said:

    I expect there to be seven candidates in the by-election.
    The Magnificent Seven.

    Well, The Seven, anyway.

    As things stand, Andy has neither thrown his Capp in the ring, nor pointedly put it back on his head. It remains to be seen how much of the speculation is fevered nonsense and how much is accurate fevered nonsense.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    Selebian said:

    Disappointed there is no The Good, The Bad and The Ugly reference :disappointed: Or is that being saved for the actual by election?

    (I'm not sure who would fill which role!)

    Final paragraph.

    We might see the the good, the bad, and the ugly if Sir Keir Starmer blocks Burnham from standing, will Sir Keir be unforgiven?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    My feeling Burnham will not run this time and 5pm will come and go.

  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,353
    Battlebus said:

    BACO

    Are you suggesting that Burnham's nervousness will foil his ambitions?
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 4,840
    In terms of the inevitable forthcoming Summer 2026 Labour leadership election, the question is who benefits from the fallout if Burnham tries to stand, only to be blocked by Starmer's majority.

    It would be a least bad option for Streeting, in the sense that he won't have to compete against a strong candidate in the form of Burnham. But I think he'll still be hit by the fallout against the factional right of the party, of which he is clearly a part. So his position will remain weaker than if Gwynne had not resigned in the first place.

    The beneficiaries look to be Rayner (if she can stand, HMRC permitting) or any other soft left candidate who will get the backing of Burnham (if Rayner can't stand.)

    Burnham will benefit indirectly in that it will improve the chances of his supported candidate eventually winning, and he'll have been instrumental in that outcome, so he could look forward to being made a Lord and a Cabinet post under the new leader.

    Taking all that into account, I think Burnham will throw his hat into the ring today, in full expectation that he'll be turned down.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 36,714
    edited 10:48AM
    Roger said:

    Apparently Andy Burnham has until 5 pm to decide whether he's standing......

    Will he- won't he?



    He will demonstrate his personal ambition over and above the burghers of Greater Manchester if he does.

    Pulling the trigger at this point in the cycle makes him uniquely unsuited for high office.

    There is an enormous potential for jeopardy. All of which doesn't bode well for his party. He could lose the by election dramatically, and he is then personally done for. If he scrapes home Labour lose the Mayoralty to Reform which would be calamitous.

    Remember too in September when he went on manoeuvres prior to the Conference he came home chastened.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,427
    Wulfrun_Phil said:

    In terms of the inevitable forthcoming Summer 2026 Labour leadership election, the question is who benefits from the fallout if Burnham tries to stand, only to be blocked by Starmer's majority.

    It would be a least bad option for Streeting, in the sense that he won't have to compete against a strong candidate in the form of Burnham. But I think he'll still be hit by the fallout against the factional right of the party, of which he is clearly a part. So his position will remain weaker than if Gwynne had not resigned in the first place.

    The beneficiaries look to be Rayner (if she can stand, HMRC permitting) or any other soft left candidate who will get the backing of Burnham (if Rayner can't stand.)

    Burnham will benefit indirectly in that it will improve the chances of his supported candidate eventually winning, and he'll have been instrumental in that outcome, so he could look forward to being made a Lord and a Cabinet post under the new leader.

    Taking all that into account, I think Burnham will throw his hat into the ring today, in full expectation that he'll be turned down.

    Not a Burnham fan, but better him than Rayner.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 60,173
    rottenborough said:

    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

    As I understand it, the rules say that the NEC can impose an all women (or other) shortlist, if representation in the parliamentary Labour Party is lacking.

    Why would that be illegal?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    Malmesbury said:

    rottenborough said:

    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

    As I understand it, the rules say that the NEC can impose an all women (or other) shortlist, if representation in the parliamentary Labour Party is lacking.

    Why would that be illegal?
    This is his tweet:

    https://x.com/tomhfh/status/2014647966259097695


    I am not lawyer, so I don't know, but the wording seems bloody clear to me. Women short list ok. Not BAME. Or even Global Majority.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 21,899
    My guess is he will. Otherwise he'll be leaving his chum and key supporter high and dry. If he stands it'll be good for Labour and it'll be good for Starmer. I can't see Burnham winning any leadership contest but it'll make Starmer raise his game. If there's no competition for places you don't end up with a good team.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 85,713
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Selebian said:

    Disappointed there is no The Good, The Bad and The Ugly reference :disappointed: Or is that being saved for the actual by election?

    (I'm not sure who would fill which role!)

    Final paragraph.

    We might see the the good, the bad, and the ugly if Sir Keir Starmer blocks Burnham from standing, will Sir Keir be unforgiven?
    The puns are definitely Unforgiven.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,465
    Nigelb said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Selebian said:

    Disappointed there is no The Good, The Bad and The Ugly reference :disappointed: Or is that being saved for the actual by election?

    (I'm not sure who would fill which role!)

    Final paragraph.

    We might see the the good, the bad, and the ugly if Sir Keir Starmer blocks Burnham from standing, will Sir Keir be unforgiven?
    The puns are definitely Unforgiven.
    Another couple though and it would have been a magnificent seven.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 31,837
    edited 11:06AM
    MarqueeMark said:

    MattW said:

    Battlebus said:

    Leon said:

    We should go back to the system where basically half the countries in the world had union jacks in the corners of their flags because Britain

    You make a good point. Perhaps we should ask Hawaii if they want to reorder the parts of their flag. And suggest they join the Commonwealth.


    This is the " @Leon 's coming on holiday" flag:


    Is that woman preparing Molotov cocktails? Seems...an extreme measure for the arrival of Leon.
    She's a lert.

    A virgin staying alert.

    Who needs to remain aloof from Leon.

    I refuse to believe that there is anyone on PB who does not recognise the reference.
  • No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 5,345
    Battlebus said:

    BACO

    Foiled again?
  • isamisam Posts: 43,418
    Shouldn’t it be “Today is High Noon for Andy Burnham”?

    Maybe not, “Today’s” just doesn’t seem right to me
  • MattWMattW Posts: 31,837
    edited 11:08AM
    rottenborough said:

    Malmesbury said:

    rottenborough said:

    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

    As I understand it, the rules say that the NEC can impose an all women (or other) shortlist, if representation in the parliamentary Labour Party is lacking.

    Why would that be illegal?
    This is his tweet:

    https://x.com/tomhfh/status/2014647966259097695

    I am not lawyer, so I don't know, but the wording seems bloody clear to me. Women short list ok. Not BAME. Or even Global Majority.
    The point about lawyers is that they never know. That is why they need to spend your money exploring the options.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,735
    No_Offence_Alan said:

    Battlebus said:

    BACO

    Foiled again?
    Tin-eared comment
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 7,072
    Labour didn’t learn anything from how the Tories lost their 80 seat majority in one go did they?
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 7,845
    isam said:

    Shouldn’t it be “Today is High Noon for Andy Burnham”?

    Maybe not, “Today’s” just doesn’t seem right to me

    's is both short for is, and a possessive
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 34,836
    edited 11:12AM
    rottenborough said:

    Malmesbury said:

    rottenborough said:

    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

    As I understand it, the rules say that the NEC can impose an all women (or other) shortlist, if representation in the parliamentary Labour Party is lacking.

    Why would that be illegal?
    This is his tweet:

    https://x.com/tomhfh/status/2014647966259097695


    I am not lawyer, so I don't know, but the wording seems bloody clear to me. Women short list ok. Not BAME. Or even Global Majority.
    If the wording seems clear, you've not read past the highlighted section to the next sentence which says anything goes so long as it is “a proportionate means of reducing under-representation”.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 24,261
    On the Tory side:

    How the Wets Was Won

  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 24,261
    Burnham made himself look like a right dick at conference.

    He should get on with the job that the people of Greater Manchester entrusted him to do and forget about Westminster.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 34,836
    Not the Nine O'Clock News shows how Labour's NEC could lawfully exclude Burnham in this 1-minute clip:-
    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CpQRk3uLyVs
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 7,072
    SandyRentool said:

    On the Tory side:

    How the Wets Was Won

    Surely “a fistful of (PPE) dollars”?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 85,713
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Northern_Al said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Once Upon a Time in the North West.
    I was really proud of that one.
    Not just Ennio'ld pun.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    Is this an Eccles Cake Western?

  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 41,925
    Coordinated and strong movement behind Burnham this morning.

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2015019853157986544?s=20
  • isamisam Posts: 43,418
    JohnLilburne said:

    isam said:

    Shouldn’t it be “Today is High Noon for Andy Burnham”?

    Maybe not, “Today’s” just doesn’t seem right to me

    's is both short for is, and a possessive
    Like the Teddy Bears' Picnic!

    Or is it the Teddy Bear's Picnic??

    I read it as Burnham having a High Noon every day, or at least multiple HN's. It doesn't feel right in a headline. But maybe the fault lies with me
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,353
    Scott_xP said:

    Coordinated and strong movement behind Burnham this morning.

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2015019853157986544?s=20

    Friends of Andy, or enemies of Keir?

    There's an overlap in the Venn diagram, but it's far from perfect.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,229
    I do not know what fate awaits me
    I only know I must be brave
    And I must face Keir Starmer's deadline
    Or lie a coward, a craven coward
    Or lie a coward in my grave

    Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin'
    You made that promise when we wed
    Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin'
    Although you're grievin', I can't be leavin'
    Unless I make Keir Starmer red
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 85,713
    ydoethur said:

    I do not know what fate awaits me
    I only know I must be brave
    And I must face Keir Starmer's deadline
    Or lie a coward, a craven coward
    Or lie a coward in my grave

    Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin'
    You made that promise when we wed
    Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin'
    Although you're grievin', I can't be leavin'
    Unless I make Keir Starmer red

    Beat me to it.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    Light the beacons of Gondor, Starmer discovers prudence.

    Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5m to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and one for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, should Andy Burnham stand down.

    “We can’t bankrupt the party just for one person’s ego,” says one MP.

    https://x.com/KevinASchofield/status/2015025430722425264
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    Scott_xP said:

    Coordinated and strong movement behind Burnham this morning.

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2015019853157986544?s=20

    To save Denton from Reform.

    And then hand Manc mayorship to Reform???

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    biggles said:

    SandyRentool said:

    On the Tory side:

    How the Wets Was Won

    Surely “a fistful of (PPE) dollars”?
    Increasingly worthless dollars.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    edited 11:41AM
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Light the beacons of Gondor, Starmer discovers prudence.

    Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5m to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and one for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, should Andy Burnham stand down.

    “We can’t bankrupt the party just for one person’s ego,” says one MP.

    https://x.com/KevinASchofield/status/2015025430722425264

    prudence....the long lost love from the noughties. I wondered what happened to her.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Light the beacons of Gondor, Starmer discovers prudence.

    Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5m to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and one for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, should Andy Burnham stand down.

    “We can’t bankrupt the party just for one person’s ego,” says one MP.

    https://x.com/KevinASchofield/status/2015025430722425264

    prudence....the long lost love from the noughties. I wondered what happened to her.
    Gordon Brown ruined her.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,427
    F1: had a £5 free bet with Betfair, so slapped it on Russell at 4 to win in Australia.
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,180
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Light the beacons of Gondor, Starmer discovers prudence.

    Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5m to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and one for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, should Andy Burnham stand down.

    “We can’t bankrupt the party just for one person’s ego,” says one MP.

    https://x.com/KevinASchofield/status/2015025430722425264

    prudence....the long lost love from the noughties. I wondered what happened to her.
    Gordon Brown ruined her.
    😳😳
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 85,713
    Russia launches ‘brutal’ attack on Ukraine as peace talks continue
    Kyiv says Moscow used 396 drones and missiles in ‘another night of Russian terror’ on second day of talks in UAE
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/24/russia-launches-deadly-strikes-on-kyiv-and-kharkiv-ahead-of-day-two-of-peace-talks
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,100
    BACO?
  • AugustusCarp2AugustusCarp2 Posts: 560
    williamglenn said:

    BACO?

    (Burnham Always Chickens Out)

  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Light the beacons of Gondor, Starmer discovers prudence.

    Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5m to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and one for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, should Andy Burnham stand down.

    “We can’t bankrupt the party just for one person’s ego,” says one MP.

    https://x.com/KevinASchofield/status/2015025430722425264

    prudence....the long lost love from the noughties. I wondered what happened to her.
    Gordon Brown ruined her.
    A mental image I did not need.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Light the beacons of Gondor, Starmer discovers prudence.

    Labour insiders estimate it could cost the party £1.5m to organise and fight both a Westminster by-election and one for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, should Andy Burnham stand down.

    “We can’t bankrupt the party just for one person’s ego,” says one MP.

    https://x.com/KevinASchofield/status/2015025430722425264

    prudence....the long lost love from the noughties. I wondered what happened to her.
    Gordon Brown ruined her.
    A mental image I did not need.
    You need to keep your mind out of the gutter, not everything has to be an innuendo.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    edited 12:00PM
    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    Seems like everybody is getting a bowl in the cricket.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 21,899
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    edited 12:10PM
    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    The difference being Harland for his entire career has dominated at every level at every club in every league. Burnham was a piss poor minister when he was last in government. He got another shot at the big time and clown car'ed it before the conference even started. There is a huge difference between being a city mayor and the top job.

    Burnham appears more like the Zak Crawley of politics.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,229
    Nigelb said:

    Russia launches ‘brutal’ attack on Ukraine as peace talks continue
    Kyiv says Moscow used 396 drones and missiles in ‘another night of Russian terror’ on second day of talks in UAE
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/24/russia-launches-deadly-strikes-on-kyiv-and-kharkiv-ahead-of-day-two-of-peace-talks

    A reminder that according to Vance, Hegseth, Miller, Witkoff and Gabbard, none of whom are in any way, shape or form associated with Russia, it is the Ukrainian government that is blocking a peace deal.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 12,510
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Although, of course, Tommy isn’t a coward - he just picks his battles


    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DRpV0GePYeM
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,229
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Burnham needs to leave the small city and try his luck in The Big Country.
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,180
    ydoethur said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Taz said:

    Will he stand or will he be the coward of the county ?

    Yay, there's somebody else who is a fan of Westerns on PB.

    Well done for spotting the subtle references to Western films in the header.
    Burnham needs to leave the small city and try his luck in The Big Country.
    He will leave the small city and become a Big Country member.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,305
    viewcode said:

    I am on a train. It was crowded so I went for the first-class upgrade. I'm in my first class seat. It is full of people in groups TALKING TO EACH OTHER. BASTARDS. Apparently Amy would like a cat. One couple are sitting in separate seats. LISA HAVE YOU GOT THE TICKETS. One guy asked if the other ever had a beard. I cannot use this information.

    I'm sorry, this is unacceptable. I want studious young men on laptops. Middle aged men with nose hair and good suits who work in the City. Prissy older women who look like Theresa May and tut if somebody says something. England, you have disappointed me.

    I think Amy should get a cat.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    Some of the footage of Harland playing junior games, to say it was man vs boys doesn't do it justice.
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,973
    I've sort of alluded to the fact that most of my music listening is current and has been since it flipped that way around 3-4 years ago. Not sure why, but it happened.

    Anyway, my favourite act of the 20s, one that combine the humour, small town localism and post-punk vibe that many of my preferred 20s acts have in some permutation, have a new album out.

    I'm enjoying the album without being fully convinced by everything yet, but the linked track has landed square on the Trump Greenland crisis and I'm masochistically loving it as a terrifying and timely dissection of Trump's psyche. I'm not always convinced by all the left politics in all their more agit songs, though their music does ultimately carry the day most times, but this is spot on for me:

    Kid Kapichi - Leader of the Free World (audio)
    https://youtu.be/17-96d_24-g?si=hL_AV0ivbKAaeIIv
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,180
    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    It’s Haaland, he’s a brilliant soccer striker.

    Burnham is more a modest, mediocre, journeyman pottering around the lower levels of the Premier League.

    An average player with an overinflated opinion of himself.

    Robbie Savage.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,337
    edited 12:17PM
    On shortlists. In 2024, 46% of Labour MPs elected were female - close enough to half - so it would be pretty hard to justify a women-only shortlist. And a BAME-only shortlist just isn't going to happen.
    So, if Burnham wants to be selected and the NEC want to stop him, they'll have to find another way.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 125,836
    Bangladesh have decided to boycott next month's men's T20 World Cup and will be replaced by Scotland.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cp801njpr8zo
  • MattWMattW Posts: 31,837
    isam said:

    JohnLilburne said:

    isam said:

    Shouldn’t it be “Today is High Noon for Andy Burnham”?

    Maybe not, “Today’s” just doesn’t seem right to me

    's is both short for is, and a possessive
    Like the Teddy Bears' Picnic!

    Or is it the Teddy Bear's Picnic??

    I read it as Burnham having a High Noon every day, or at least multiple HN's. It doesn't feel right in a headline. But maybe the fault lies with me
    #roundabouts
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 69,737
    It's gonna be a hoot if we find out on Monday morning that Ed Balls has applied.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,353
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    The difference being Harland for his entire career has dominated at every level at every club in every league. Burnham was a piss poor minister when he was last in government. He got another shot at the big time and clown car'ed it before the conference even started. There is a huge difference between being a city mayor and the top job.

    Burnham appears more like the Zak Crawley of politics.
    Not quite.

    Zak Crawley is currently playing at the very top level. Not well, but he is there.

    For the Burnham analogy to work, we have to fast-forward a couple of years, to when Zak is back on the county circuit. Quite possibly with decent scores, because the game is easier at that level.

    Anyone saying "Zak for England" would rightly be ignored for being a bit of a chump,
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,100
    rottenborough said:

    It's gonna be a hoot if we find out on Monday morning that Ed Balls has applied.

    Or David Miliband?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,229
    Stuartinromford said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    The difference being Harland for his entire career has dominated at every level at every club in every league. Burnham was a piss poor minister when he was last in government. He got another shot at the big time and clown car'ed it before the conference even started. There is a huge difference between being a city mayor and the top job.

    Burnham appears more like the Zak Crawley of politics.
    Not quite.

    Zak Crawley is currently playing at the very top level. Not well, but he is there.

    For the Burnham analogy to work, we have to fast-forward a couple of years, to when Zak is back on the county circuit. Quite possibly with decent scores, because the game is easier at that level.

    Anyone saying "Zak for England" would rightly be ignored for being a bit of a chump,
    Typo there.

    You say 'county circuit' when you mean 'Kent Cricket League.'
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,629
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Bangladesh have decided to boycott next month's men's T20 World Cup and will be replaced by Scotland.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cp801njpr8zo

    Scotland - Italy should be an interesting match!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    edited 12:25PM
    Taz said:

    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    It’s Haaland, he’s a brilliant soccer striker.

    Burnham is more a modest, mediocre, journeyman pottering around the lower levels of the Premier League.

    An average player with an overinflated opinion of himself.

    Robbie Savage.
    I love the story that some of the old Leicester players tell of when O'Neil was in charge and one of the central defenders passed it out of defence to Robbie Savage a few times...at half time they go in and O'Neil absolutely losses it, goes absolutely mental for the whole half time team talk at the defender basically saying you never pass to him, he absolutely shit on the ball, we don't give him the ball under any circumstances, you give to Lennon and Izzet, keep doing that and you will out of the team.
  • No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 5,345
    viewcode said:

    I am on a train. It was crowded so I went for the first-class upgrade. I'm in my first class seat. It is full of people in groups TALKING TO EACH OTHER. BASTARDS. Apparently Amy would like a cat. One couple are sitting in separate seats. LISA HAVE YOU GOT THE TICKETS. One guy asked if the other ever had a beard. I cannot use this information.

    I'm sorry, this is unacceptable. I want studious young men on laptops. Middle aged men with nose hair and good suits who work in the City. Prissy older women who look like Theresa May and tut if somebody says something. England, you have disappointed me.

    For the full effect you need a hen party and a stag party in the same carriage.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 89,499
    Stuartinromford said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    The difference being Harland for his entire career has dominated at every level at every club in every league. Burnham was a piss poor minister when he was last in government. He got another shot at the big time and clown car'ed it before the conference even started. There is a huge difference between being a city mayor and the top job.

    Burnham appears more like the Zak Crawley of politics.
    Not quite.

    Zak Crawley is currently playing at the very top level. Not well, but he is there.

    For the Burnham analogy to work, we have to fast-forward a couple of years, to when Zak is back on the county circuit. Quite possibly with decent scores, because the game is easier at that level.

    Anyone saying "Zak for England" would rightly be ignored for being a bit of a chump,
    Checks team....Crawley has been dropped (finally).
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 26,541
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Russia launches ‘brutal’ attack on Ukraine as peace talks continue
    Kyiv says Moscow used 396 drones and missiles in ‘another night of Russian terror’ on second day of talks in UAE
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/24/russia-launches-deadly-strikes-on-kyiv-and-kharkiv-ahead-of-day-two-of-peace-talks

    A reminder that according to Vance, Hegseth, Miller, Witkoff and Gabbard, none of whom are in any way, shape or form associated with Russia, it is the Ukrainian government that is blocking a peace deal.
    To be fair if Ukraine surrenders, says sorry, change their leadership, give more land and promise not to maintain any army then there would be a peace deal after all.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 31,837
    Malmesbury said:

    rottenborough said:

    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

    As I understand it, the rules say that the NEC can impose an all women (or other) shortlist, if representation in the parliamentary Labour Party is lacking.

    Why would that be illegal?
    Single sex shortlists are legal, but ethnic minority shortlists are not.

    It is a specific exception to Equality Law. I have not checked, but I assume it means men as well.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,229
    edited 12:27PM
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Stuartinromford said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Roger said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    I still find it crazy that Burnham rolled the pitch for his big leadership election at Labour Party Conference, had total car crash interviews and had to sneak away from the event...and now a few months later he is back again as the great big hope.

    Miliband held a banana at a Labour Party Conference and totally ended his leadership bid forever, had to become a Thunderbird.

    Lucy Powell a City fan used the analogy 'Shall we leave Harland on the bench?'

    Someone who hasn't scored for eight games.........................................

    The difference being Harland for his entire career has dominated at every level at every club in every league. Burnham was a piss poor minister when he was last in government. He got another shot at the big time and clown car'ed it before the conference even started. There is a huge difference between being a city mayor and the top job.

    Burnham appears more like the Zak Crawley of politics.
    Not quite.

    Zak Crawley is currently playing at the very top level. Not well, but he is there.

    For the Burnham analogy to work, we have to fast-forward a couple of years, to when Zak is back on the county circuit. Quite possibly with decent scores, because the game is easier at that level.

    Anyone saying "Zak for England" would rightly be ignored for being a bit of a chump,
    Checks team....Crawley has been dropped (finally).
    Was he on 0 or 1 at the time?

    Edit - and he's not dropped, he's injured.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 100,638
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    rottenborough said:

    Malmesbury said:

    rottenborough said:

    HYUFD said:

    Burnham may still decide to go for it before tomorrow's 5pm deadline but it seems like the NEC will try and impose an all BAME shortlist to stop him anyway

    Tom Harwood says that would clearly be illegal.

    As I understand it, the rules say that the NEC can impose an all women (or other) shortlist, if representation in the parliamentary Labour Party is lacking.

    Why would that be illegal?
    This is his tweet:

    https://x.com/tomhfh/status/2014647966259097695


    I am not lawyer, so I don't know, but the wording seems bloody clear to me. Women short list ok. Not BAME. Or even Global Majority.
    If the wording seems clear, you've not read past the highlighted section to the next sentence which says anything goes so long as it is “a proportionate means of reducing under-representation”.
    Does the PLP have an underrepresentation issue to address?

    Genuine question. I believe they have close to 50% female MPs, and the Commons as a whole is probably representative of gay/lesbians in the general population, plus ethnic minority representation has soared since the year 2000, so it'd be interesting, if a BAME shortlist were imposed, what the stats are.
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