Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
hashtag dearohdear
Did HMQ ever have more than 5?
When she appointed Truss she had 6 ex-PMs (Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson) for the first time in her reign.
Thanks.
And then Truss killed* her off.
* For the benefit of any lawyers this comment is not 100% serious.
I think the previous record was 6 at the end of Liz reign, which has now been beaten, and will be again shortly.
Likes of Queen Victoria never had many living ex PMs as Disraeli and Gladstone passed the crown between themselves, and a few PMs carked it whilst in the job (or shortly afterwards)
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
This is of the genre of "he's not a cockney, he wasn't born in earshot of Bow Bells".
No it isn't. Scouse is an accent. He doesn't have it.
I'm Scouse (born in Merseyside) but have lost the accent as moved when young. Does that mean I'm not Scouse anymore?
PS I agree he's not, he was not born in Merseyside.
He was born in Aintree. But didn't grow up there. He's as Scouse as Boris is a New Yorker.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
This is of the genre of "he's not a cockney, he wasn't born in earshot of Bow Bells".
No it isn't. Scouse is an accent. He doesn't have it.
I'm Scouse (born in Merseyside) but have lost the accent as moved when young. Does that mean I'm not Scouse anymore?
PS I agree he's not, he was not born in Merseyside.
He was born in Aintree. But didn't grow up there. He's as Scouse as Boris is a New Yorker.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
My "likely date" would be 31 July, the day after the election of the new Manchester mayor, so Burnham can nominally carry on in that role until handover (and campaign for the Labour candidate). It also draws a line under Manchester regardless of that election result.
The mayoralty is vacated the moment he takes the oath. So he can't 'nominally' carry on. You may mean 'de facto' carry on?
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Especially if Starmer has sewn raw prawns into the curtain linings...
In this heat? Pong....
They still ain't found the Curry Richard Holden hid under the floorboards
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
hashtag dearohdear
Did HMQ ever have more than 5?
When she appointed Truss she had 6 ex-PMs (Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson) for the first time in her reign.
Thanks.
And then Truss killed* her off.
* For the benefit of any lawyers this comment is not 100% serious.
I think the previous record was 6 at the end of Liz reign, which has now been beaten, and will be again shortly.
Likes of Queen Victoria never had many living ex PMs as Disraeli and Gladstone passed the crown between themselves, and a few PMs carked it whilst in the job (or shortly afterwards)
George V had a fair number in 1923 - Balfour, Asquith, Lloyd George and briefly Bonar Law. In 1940 George VI had Chamberlain, Baldwin and Lloyd George but I think that was his record.
Liz had five four times I think in addition to the last day when it was six: 1965 (Attlee, Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, Home) 1979-87 (Macmillan, Wilson, Heath, Callaghan, Home) 1990-1994 (Thatcher for Macmillan) and 2019-22 (Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May).
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
I blame rolling, 24hr news more than anything.
Because "the news" never stops, a perpetual and endless cycle of drama and crisis is needed to keep everyone going...
If I was to advise Burnham to do one thing on day one of entering Downing St. it would be this:
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy. 7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
My "likely date" would be 31 July, the day after the election of the new Manchester mayor, so Burnham can nominally carry on in that role until handover (and campaign for the Labour candidate). It also draws a line under Manchester regardless of that election result.
The mayoralty is vacated the moment he takes the oath. So he can't 'nominally' carry on. You may mean 'de facto' carry on?
Thanks I didn't know that. I really meant 'pretend to' carry on until the new person is elected. I suspect Manchester can manage without a mayor for a few weeks. A country more difficult.
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
My "likely date" would be 31 July, the day after the election of the new Manchester mayor, so Burnham can nominally carry on in that role until handover (and campaign for the Labour candidate). It also draws a line under Manchester regardless of that election result.
The mayoralty is vacated the moment he takes the oath. So he can't 'nominally' carry on. You may mean 'de facto' carry on?
Thanks I didn't know that. I really meant 'pretend to' carry on until the new person is elected. I suspect Manchester can manage without a mayor for a few weeks. A country more difficult.
There will be an acting mayor appointed. More here:
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
It takes time to actually write legislation. He needs time to flesh out his plans and have the draft bills ready.
Unlike at a GE, he hasn't had access to the Civil Service to prepare
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
(Image has ended up too small, but you can just about make out the point with UK on left, getting older on average until the 70s)
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
There's a lot of work that you can do behind the scenes working with Civil Servants etc even during recess though surely.
Better to do that now, and then hit the ground running after recess, than stay stalled for months waiting then go straight into a hectic party conference and Budget season then Christmas then the year is over.
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
If current trends continue, the next Tory PM is not yet an MP.
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
It takes time to actually write legislation. He needs time to flesh out his plans and have the draft bills ready.
Unlike at a GE, he hasn't had access to the Civil Service to prepare
There's probably stuff which has been prepared but sat on/not taken forward, or he can just announce some new direction without legislation.
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Especially if Starmer has sewn raw prawns into the curtain linings...
In this heat? Pong....
Do you think he could manage to sew raw prawns into curtain linings? I'd be quite impressed if he could thread the needle without needing a visit to A&E.
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
If current trends continue, the next Tory PM is not yet an MP.
If current trends continue the next Tory PM will never exist.
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
If current trends continue, the next Tory PM is not yet an MP.
Naturally - the first MP of the Reform/Tory pact won't be elected until 2033/34.
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
I don’t think it’s within a week because of Labour Party rules
Blimey that's looking hot next week. UK record June temperature = 35.6°C Forecast for Heathrow next Wednesday = 39°C. Same again on Thursday.
Another record is going to be not just broken but smashed.
Our daughter has just come back from a holiday in Marrakech with temperatures of between 41 and 48 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's utterly ridiculous.
There should be a post apocalyptic movie where things are mostly fine, but demonstrating we now have a lot of places that cannot sustain human life at basically any level without the aid of modern technology, not just unable to maintain modern populations levels.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Especially if Starmer has sewn raw prawns into the curtain linings...
In this heat? Pong....
Do you think he could manage to sew raw prawns into curtain linings? I'd be quite impressed if he could thread the needle without needing a visit to A&E.
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
If current trends continue, the next Tory PM is not yet an MP.
Perhaps not even born yet.
Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Foetus? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
I don’t think it’s within a week because of Labour Party rules
Ok a couple of weeks. On checking Brown became PM 16 days after launching what turned out to be an unopposed leadership campaign.
I'm not saying that it need be quite that quick. But it's the card that Burnham has available to play if Starmer is thinking of messing him around.
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
I don’t think it’s within a week because of Labour Party rules
Ok a couple of weeks. On checking Brown became PM 16 days after launching what turned out to be an unopposed leadership campaign.
I'm not saying that it need be quite that quick. But it's the card that Burnham has available to play if Starmer is thinking of messing him around.
It’s basically why I cashed out my Q2 bet because I reckon it happens sometime in July, latest by the end of July. But maybe first or second week
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
This sounds like bollocks if I am honest.
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
It would really, really p*ss off a lot of journalists and his colleagues who'd all be expected to be on-tap to comment from about 6am on a Monday morning. If it was me, I'd be tempted too.
I am baffled by the fact there seems to be no limit to the number of Turkish barbers a town seems to be able to take. With new ones opening all the time.
Even more strange: there's almost always someone in all of them.
Hmm.
They're cheap, only £10 in many places round here. So you can understand why people who aren't well-off use them instead of paying £30 at the alternatives.
If you give some one £200 of dirty money to launder and get their head shaved 8 times a week at £20 ,yove cleaned £160 of dirty money, created jobs and identities for people and what appear to be jobs and growth.
If you buy a shop with flats upstairs you can set up all kinds of other businesses and apparent jobs.
Turn hundreds to thousands to hundreds of thousands to millions, to tens of millions, to hundreds of millions and billions... The biggest pyramids on earth... Just the tip visible above ground
The amount of high street money laundering has been obvious to anyone not an idiot for quite a while now. If town centres are ever to become thriving locations again, it has to be ended.
Part of the reason that nothing has been done, is the business rates they pay.
Unlike the American Sweet Shops, they pay their taxes. Think protection money…
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
If current trends continue, the next Tory PM is not yet an MP.
Perhaps not even born yet.
Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Foetus? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?
He or she is probably living with Carrie and Boris...
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
People said it was a problem for Starmerer to have taken over in July, rather than the normal spring, for that reason.
We're now about to repeat the experiment and we'll see how Burnham copes with the timing.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
This sounds like bollocks if I am honest.
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
It would really, really p*ss off a lot of journalists and his colleagues who'd all be expected to be on-tap to comment from about 6am on a Monday morning. If it was me, I'd be tempted too.
What would be really funny is if he gets out the lectern, but only to say how everything is going according to plan, he's getting on with the job, and the electorate is telling him they want to go 'further and faster'.
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
People said it was a problem for Starmerer to have taken over in July, rather than the normal spring, for that reason.
We're now about to repeat the experiment and we'll see how Burnham copes with the timing.
Burnham should cancel the Summer recess. There’s stuff to do. Normal working people don’t get the entire summer off, so why should they?
Impressive defending by Iran, but they do need to try and score at some point.
Sitting back and trying to outlast and frustrate an opponent with superior shooting power? They are very on brand.
Closing off all options for their opponent to get the one thing that matters out through a narrow defended gap while sacrificing their own ability to do the same.
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
I don’t think it’s within a week because of Labour Party rules
Ok a couple of weeks. On checking Brown became PM 16 days after launching what turned out to be an unopposed leadership campaign.
I'm not saying that it need be quite that quick. But it's the card that Burnham has available to play if Starmer is thinking of messing him around.
No he didn't.
Brown did not trigger that campaign either, Blair did (technically), but either way it took much longer than that.
Though as we were discussing earlier, it need not have taken so long. Especially since Labour ridiculously had a leadership campaign, including hustings, with him as sole candidate.
10 May - Blair announces resignation, triggers leadership campaign. 16 May - Brown secured enough nominations that no other candidate was viable. 17 May - Close of nominations, Brown only candidate. 20 May - Brown heckled at hustings 27 May - Brown criticised at another hustings 24 June - Brown became Labour Party leader 27 June - Brown became Prime Minister
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
People said it was a problem for Starmerer to have taken over in July, rather than the normal spring, for that reason.
We're now about to repeat the experiment and we'll see how Burnham copes with the timing.
Burnham should cancel the Summer recess. There’s stuff to do. Normal working people don’t get the entire summer off, so why should they?
I'm glad our teachers here will be glad to be referred to as not normal
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
People said it was a problem for Starmerer to have taken over in July, rather than the normal spring, for that reason.
We're now about to repeat the experiment and we'll see how Burnham copes with the timing.
Burnham should cancel the Summer recess. There’s stuff to do. Normal working people don’t get the entire summer off, so why should they?
I'm glad our teachers here will be glad to be referred to as not normal
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
This sounds like bollocks if I am honest.
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
It would really, really p*ss off a lot of journalists and his colleagues who'd all be expected to be on-tap to comment from about 6am on a Monday morning. If it was me, I'd be tempted too.
What would be really funny is if he gets out the lectern, but only to say how everything is going according to plan, he's getting on with the job, and the electorate is telling him they want to go 'further and faster'.
"To show how serious I am about change, look at this new podium!"
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Indeed it gives his reshuffled cabinet time to get stuck in before the restart of parliament with fewer distractions.
No doubt Nigel, Rupe, Kemi and Tomny will be only to eager to jump on a suitable racist incident and encourage a bit of hanky panky and rioting
Yes that's the problem. The public's first impression of Burnham as PM would be reacting to every uncontrollable crisis that came along for three months. I'm very confident that the coronation will either happen in the next week or two or in September.
Some of the models for this coming week are insane on weather.
The warmest minimum temperature of all-time at #London Heathrow is 22.6C set on 20 July 2016 the Euro [model] has 27C on Thursday morning. Out of this world.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
This sounds like bollocks if I am honest.
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
It would really, really p*ss off a lot of journalists and his colleagues who'd all be expected to be on-tap to comment from about 6am on a Monday morning. If it was me, I'd be tempted too.
What would be really funny is if he gets out the lectern, but only to say how everything is going according to plan, he's getting on with the job, and the electorate is telling him they want to go 'further and faster'.
"To show how serious I am about change, look at this new podium!"
"To show how serious I am about change, I am launching a committee to commission a report as to whether we should buy a new podium".
It is remarkable to think that it is 13 years since an ex-Prime Minister actually died.
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
Rishi Sunak's entire meaningful career in politics took less than 10 years from start to finish. His post premiership swansong may take upwards of a third of the total career unless he sticks around beyond this term, in which case it will be even longer.
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
If current trends continue, the next Tory PM is not yet an MP.
If current trends continue the next Tory PM will never exist.
We are bound to have a right of centre PM by then, so on that basis the next rightwing PM would either be Farage or a new combined Reform and Tory rump party leader
Although I'd agree that Burnham isn't a scouser (despite being born in Aintree) it's this the usual interesting (to me) question of what makes a scouser? (Bit like the Cockney requirement of Bow Bells - which I recall from this site the sounds of which are now so greatly diminished the chances of anyone being able to say they are 'Cockney' in the traditional sense of the meaning are now virtually nil).
The "hydration breaks" have delivered what the Americans were demanding - four quarters.
The advertiser may have been enthusiastic about breaking 45 ++ minutes without any ads too.
The latter is why I'm worried it is here to stay.
It's here to stay for the World Cup.
Hot conditions in WC 2028 Portugal, Spain, Morocco and 2032 Saudi Arabia
It's not coming anytime soon for Premier League etc. Except if we were playing next week!
I remember such breaks in the Brazil WC, but maybe not all matches.
I think it quite reasonable if the pitch temperature is 30° or so. It shouldn't just be for when a match is televised.
It is very obviously an agreement with American broadcasters in particular, and Fifa trousering more revenue, hence being every game, and that is how it will stay. Every one needs hydration, will be the figleaf excuse.
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
I don’t think it’s within a week because of Labour Party rules
Ok a couple of weeks. On checking Brown became PM 16 days after launching what turned out to be an unopposed leadership campaign.
I'm not saying that it need be quite that quick. But it's the card that Burnham has available to play if Starmer is thinking of messing him around.
No he didn't.
Brown did not trigger that campaign either, Blair did (technically), but either way it took much longer than that.
Though as we were discussing earlier, it need not have taken so long. Especially since Labour ridiculously had a leadership campaign, including hustings, with him as sole candidate.
10 May - Blair announces resignation, triggers leadership campaign. 16 May - Brown secured enough nominations that no other candidate was viable. 17 May - Close of nominations, Brown only candidate. 20 May - Brown heckled at hustings 27 May - Brown criticised at another hustings 24 June - Brown became Labour Party leader 27 June - Brown became Prime Minister
Yes apologies you're correct. I misread 27 June for 27 May, hence the 16 days (Brown formally launched his bid on 11 May.)
Brown had agreed to the protracted timetable that Blair wanted, as part of the arm twisting that persuaded Blair to step down, and the NEC was thus under some obligation to spin out the process. But if Burnham wanted to get his feet under the table quickly, I think the NEC would be guided by Burnham not Starmer's wishes and set a timetable that accelerated the process in the event that there were only one unopposed nominee. Anything else would invite ridicule.
The "hydration breaks" have delivered what the Americans were demanding - four quarters.
The advertiser may have been enthusiastic about breaking 45 ++ minutes without any ads too.
The latter is why I'm worried it is here to stay.
It's here to stay for the World Cup.
Hot conditions in WC 2028 Portugal, Spain, Morocco and 2032 Saudi Arabia
It's not coming anytime soon for Premier League etc. Except if we were playing next week!
I remember such breaks in the Brazil WC, but maybe not all matches.
I think it quite reasonable if the pitch temperature is 30° or so. It shouldn't just be for when a match is televised.
It is very obviously an agreement with American broadcasters in particular, and Fifa trousering more revenue, hence being every game, and that is how it will stay. Every one needs hydration, will be the figleaf excuse.
Yes completely down to the US advertisers, but not intrinsically a bad thing
The "hydration breaks" have delivered what the Americans were demanding - four quarters.
The advertiser may have been enthusiastic about breaking 45 ++ minutes without any ads too.
The latter is why I'm worried it is here to stay.
It's here to stay for the World Cup.
Hot conditions in WC 2028 Portugal, Spain, Morocco and 2032 Saudi Arabia
It's not coming anytime soon for Premier League etc. Except if we were playing next week!
I remember such breaks in the Brazil WC, but maybe not all matches.
I think it quite reasonable if the pitch temperature is 30° or so. It shouldn't just be for when a match is televised.
It is very obviously an agreement with American broadcasters in particular, and Fifa trousering more revenue, hence being every game, and that is how it will stay. Every one needs hydration, will be the figleaf excuse.
Because before the hydration break of course, n players ever took on water during the game...
Give me a break, FIFA. Just not a hydration one...
Blimey that's looking hot next week. UK record June temperature = 35.6°C Forecast for Heathrow next Wednesday = 39°C. Same again on Thursday.
Another record is going to be not just broken but smashed.
Our daughter has just come back from a holiday in Marrakech with temperatures of between 41 and 48 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's utterly ridiculous.
There should be a post apocalyptic movie where things are mostly fine, but demonstrating we now have a lot of places that cannot sustain human life at basically any level without the aid of modern technology, not just unable to maintain modern populations levels.
Dubai...?
Anyway, it does look like the question is not whether the June record will be obliterated (spoiler - it will) but whether the 40.3C from 2022 will be broken. Given that was supposed to be something like a 8000 year return...
I hope the former prohibition on AI images does not apply to our one per day image, but I generated what I thought was the image that belongs with the heading of "meet the man who could ruin the Burnham premiership". My 1 image today:
Seems unlikely that he would be installed as PM just as the Commons goes into recess. It basically has to be now or September.
Recess really isn't a consideration other than delaying his first PMQs.
Except that Burnham won't be able to introduce any legislation for three months by which time some of the sheen will have come off. I'd expect him to want to introduce something suitably totemic quickly. He'd effectively be running a zombie government for three months.
It takes time to actually write legislation. He needs time to flesh out his plans and have the draft bills ready.
Unlike at a GE, he hasn't had access to the Civil Service to prepare
As I said earlier. If Starmer expects no contest and if he wants to do what is best for the Country and the Labour Party he should arrange to leave office on 22nd July the day the Summer Recess starts. Burnham will then have until early September to get his policies, his Cabinet and his PR in place and hopefully avoid the sorts of unforced mistakes that have dogged the last 3 PMs.
Blimey that's looking hot next week. UK record June temperature = 35.6°C Forecast for Heathrow next Wednesday = 39°C. Same again on Thursday.
Another record is going to be not just broken but smashed.
Our daughter has just come back from a holiday in Marrakech with temperatures of between 41 and 48 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's utterly ridiculous.
There should be a post apocalyptic movie where things are mostly fine, but demonstrating we now have a lot of places that cannot sustain human life at basically any level without the aid of modern technology, not just unable to maintain modern populations levels.
Dubai...?
Anyway, it does look like the question is not whether the June record will be obliterated (spoiler - it will) but whether the 40.3C from 2022 will be broken. Given that was supposed to be something like a 8000 year return...
Yes, only the most bonkers are denying the reality of Climate Change now.
The "hydration breaks" have delivered what the Americans were demanding - four quarters.
The advertiser may have been enthusiastic about breaking 45 ++ minutes without any ads too.
The latter is why I'm worried it is here to stay.
It's here to stay for the World Cup.
Hot conditions in WC 2028 Portugal, Spain, Morocco and 2032 Saudi Arabia
It's not coming anytime soon for Premier League etc. Except if we were playing next week!
I remember such breaks in the Brazil WC, but maybe not all matches.
I think it quite reasonable if the pitch temperature is 30° or so. It shouldn't just be for when a match is televised.
It is very obviously an agreement with American broadcasters in particular, and Fifa trousering more revenue, hence being every game, and that is how it will stay. Every one needs hydration, will be the figleaf excuse.
Because before the hydration break of course, n players ever took on water during the game...
Give me a break , FIFA. Just not a hydration one...
I watch a lot of Prem rugby, I am astonished by how thirsty a player can get after jus5 a couple of minutes play, in winter. *
* Suggestions that water carriers are mainly carrying messages from the coaching staff are scandalous.
I hope the former prohibition on AI images does not apply to our one per day image, but I generated what I thought was the image that belongs with the heading of "meet the man who could ruin the Burnham premiership". My 1 image today:
Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it? President DJT
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
and the next thing we know, we would find all our healthcare needs being met for free?
Burnham would be the most leftwing PM in my lifetime, CCHQ will already preparing the attack ads on his tax rises
Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it? President DJT
Trump can hardly say that he picked a complete idiot to refurbish the reflecting pool and he screwed up.
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
and the next thing we know, we would find all our healthcare needs being met for free?
Burnham would be the most leftwing PM in my lifetime, CCHQ will already preparing the attack ads on his tax rises
I am old enough to remember Burnham as a Blairite.
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
and the next thing we know, we would find all our healthcare needs being met for free?
Burnham would be the most leftwing PM in my lifetime, CCHQ will already preparing the attack ads on his tax rises
I am old enough to remember Burnham as a Blairite.
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
and the next thing we know, we would find all our healthcare needs being met for free?
Burnham would be the most leftwing PM in my lifetime, CCHQ will already preparing the attack ads on his tax rises
I am old enough to remember Burnham as a Blairite.
Nah that was the other Andy. I remember him as a Brownite
The "hydration breaks" have delivered what the Americans were demanding - four quarters.
The advertiser may have been enthusiastic about breaking 45 ++ minutes without any ads too.
The latter is why I'm worried it is here to stay.
It's here to stay for the World Cup.
Hot conditions in WC 2028 Portugal, Spain, Morocco and 2032 Saudi Arabia
It's not coming anytime soon for Premier League etc. Except if we were playing next week!
I remember such breaks in the Brazil WC, but maybe not all matches.
I think it quite reasonable if the pitch temperature is 30° or so. It shouldn't just be for when a match is televised.
It is very obviously an agreement with American broadcasters in particular, and Fifa trousering more revenue, hence being every game, and that is how it will stay. Every one needs hydration, will be the figleaf excuse.
Because before the hydration break of course, n players ever took on water during the game...
Give me a break, FIFA. Just not a hydration one...
If they need to have them due to temperature issues then They need to be shorter - it doesn’t take 3 mins to take on liquids - and the drinks should be brought on by neutral parties with no communication with coaching team etc so that the breaks don’t act as tactical breaks and have a big influence on the match.
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
and the next thing we know, we would find all our healthcare needs being met for free?
Burnham would be the most leftwing PM in my lifetime, CCHQ will already preparing the attack ads on his tax rises
I am old enough to remember Burnham as a Blairite.
His lack of consistency will be an issue
What he does or does not do in the next two to three years is what he will be judged on at the next election, not any consistency (or lack thereof) with a Government of what is already two decades ago.
Comments
Likes of Queen Victoria never had many living ex PMs as Disraeli and Gladstone passed the crown between themselves, and a few PMs carked it whilst in the job (or shortly afterwards)
He's as Scouse as Boris is a New Yorker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZD8HKVKneI
Liz had five four times I think in addition to the last day when it was six: 1965 (Attlee, Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, Home) 1979-87 (Macmillan, Wilson, Heath, Callaghan, Home) 1990-1994 (Thatcher for Macmillan) and 2019-22 (Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May).
I suspect her advice would be the polar opposite of what she was desperate Tory Dan has written
A testament to how much younger they are getting, perhaps? Major, Blair, Cameron, Truss and Sunak were all in their forties. I think the only other 20th century PM in his forties at the time of appointment was Wilson.
https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2026-06-19/what-happens-next-with-greater-manchester-mayoralty-after-burnhams-win
All right, I appreciate neither are encouraging precedents but then Truss and Johnson were in in September and they were hardly unmixed successes.
Unlike at a GE, he hasn't had access to the Civil Service to prepare
It's funny, as Starmer was the oldest PM at his start that we've had for 50 years, we've definitely had a trend towards young PMs to march the late 18th and early 19th century, whereas the USA has been pretty consistent up until pretty recently - some varying trends, but not as significantly.
(Image has ended up too small, but you can just about make out the point with UK on left, getting older on average until the 70s)
Britain needs to move on. Labour needs to move on.
Better to do that now, and then hit the ground running after recess, than stay stalled for months waiting then go straight into a hectic party conference and Budget season then Christmas then the year is over.
If Burnham does the same, he'll have done very well.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/21/keir-starmer-expected-exit-plan-clear-way-andy-burnham-become-pm
Burnham shouldn't allow himself to be dictated to by Starmer. 3 months of zombie government would be in no-one's interests. lf Starmer wont go quickly, Burnham should just announce on Tuesday that he is launching a challenge for leader in the expectation that Streeting won't have the numbers to stop him. If that proves to be the case, an unopposed Burnham could walk into Downing Street within a week.
He was, to put it mildly, possessed of more failures than successes.
And even Truss had one big success - she saved us from Johnson doing the reading at HM's funeral.
Pitt the Toddler?
Pitt the Foetus?
Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?
I'm not saying that it need be quite that quick. But it's the card that Burnham has available to play if Starmer is thinking of messing him around.
Unlike the American Sweet Shops, they pay their taxes. Think protection money…
The fact that they're at war with the Gringos probably helps get them enthused....
We're now about to repeat the experiment and we'll see how Burnham copes with the timing.
The advertiser may have been enthusiastic about breaking 45 ++ minutes without any ads too.
Brown did not trigger that campaign either, Blair did (technically), but either way it took much longer than that.
Though as we were discussing earlier, it need not have taken so long. Especially since Labour ridiculously had a leadership campaign, including hustings, with him as sole candidate.
10 May - Blair announces resignation, triggers leadership campaign.
16 May - Brown secured enough nominations that no other candidate was viable.
17 May - Close of nominations, Brown only candidate.
20 May - Brown heckled at hustings
27 May - Brown criticised at another hustings
24 June - Brown became Labour Party leader
27 June - Brown became Prime Minister
How much extra would the US broadcaster for the EPL pay for two short and breaks in each half?
Hot conditions in WC 2028 Portugal, Spain, Morocco and 2032 Saudi Arabia
It's not coming anytime soon for Premier League etc. Except if we were playing next week!
The warmest minimum temperature of all-time at #London Heathrow is 22.6C set on 20 July 2016 the Euro [model] has 27C on Thursday morning. Out of this world.
https://x.com/TheSnowDreamer/status/2068644773603278934
centre PM by then, so on that basis
the next rightwing PM would either
be Farage or a new combined
Reform and Tory rump party leader
I think it quite reasonable if the pitch temperature is 30° or so. It shouldn't just be for when a match is televised.
(Bit like the Cockney requirement of Bow Bells - which I recall from this site the sounds of which are now so greatly diminished the chances of anyone being able to say they are 'Cockney' in the traditional sense of the meaning are now virtually nil).
Brown had agreed to the protracted timetable that Blair wanted, as part of the arm twisting that persuaded Blair to step down, and the NEC was thus under some obligation to spin out the process. But if Burnham wanted to get his feet under the table quickly, I think the NEC would be guided by Burnham not Starmer's wishes and set a timetable that accelerated the process in the event that there were only one unopposed nominee. Anything else would invite ridicule.
Give me a break, FIFA. Just not a hydration one...
Anyway, it does look like the question is not whether the June record will be obliterated (spoiler - it will) but whether the 40.3C from 2022 will be broken. Given that was supposed to be something like a 8000 year return...
There's a few tells there that its AI generated.
* Suggestions that water carriers are mainly carrying messages from the coaching staff are scandalous.
The new Grecian 2000 ad is shit.
Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it? President DJT
And is he vain enough to hang on to power until the autumn just so he can attend them as PM?