Forum Topic

Andy Burnham

A Blairite , a Brownite and a Corbynite walk into a bar. The barman says, ‘Hello, Andy’. This well trodden joke illustrates the fact that Andy Burnham has no settled principles other than a burning ambition to become prime minister. In his latest incarnation as the apostle of soft left business friendly socialism, otherwise known as Manchesterism, he has advocated rejoining the EU, proportional representation and transgender rights. But since being adopted as the candidate for Makerfield, a working class constituency which voted for Brexit, he has rowed back on all three positions. If he ever becomes prime minister, he will be a second Starmer, reneging on all the policies he previously advocated once confronted with the realities of high office.

Steven Rose ● 1d6 Comments

Fair point, Michael. I had forgotten about Jenrick and Remain and I was unaware of Kruger's support for net zero. Nevertheless I remain unconvinced by Andy Burnham whose popularity seems out of proportion to his achievements. His current brand of business friendly socialism is a contradiction in terms. Taking the utilities into public ownership, which is what he advocates, can only be paid for by raising taxes, which in turn creates disincentives fir business.

Steven Rose ● 13h

Winston Churchill: Churchill began his career as a Conservative MP in 1900. Disagreeing with his party's stance on trade tariffs, he defected to the Liberal Party in 1904. Two decades later, in 1924, due to his growing opposition to the rise of the Labour Party, he rejoined the Conservative Party, giving rise to his famous quip: "Anyone can rat, but it takes a certain ingenuity to re-rat."William Gladstone: Considered one of the dominant figures of the Victorian era, Gladstone began his career in 1832 as a "High Tory" (Conservative). Over the decades, his views shifted toward free trade and social reform. He eventually joined the newly formed Liberal Party in 1859, going on to serve as a Liberal Prime Minister four separate times.Ramsay MacDonald: As the first-ever Labour Prime Minister, MacDonald faced a severe economic crisis in 1931. When his Cabinet split over budget cuts, he chose to break away from the mainstream Labour Party. He formed the National Labour Organisation and headed a "National Government" coalition that was overwhelmingly backed by Conservatives. This led to him being expelled from the main Labour Party and labelled a traitor by former colleagues."

David Ainsworth ● 13h

Are we talking about the same Robert Jenrick who was pro-remain? And the same Danny Kruger who was pro-net zero and demanded "serious action to combat the threat of climate change"?

Michael Brigo ● 14h

I think it is different, Michael. The Tories who have defected to Reform, like Robert Jenrick and Danny Kruge, have not changed their views about the need to curb immigration or cut the welfare budget. It's simply that they no longer have confidence in the Conservative Party to achieve these goals. Andy Burnham, on the other hand, has actually reversed his policies in order to win votes.

Steven Rose ● 1d

Torie>Tories!

Michael Ixer ● 1d

Is that any different to the Torie who were in government messing up the country for over a decade who've now jumped ship to Reform because they think it's better for their career?I agree, it's very disappointing Burnham doesn't want another referendum on the EU now polls apparently indicate a majority now realise it was a massive mistake to leave.

Michael Ixer ● 1d