Andy Burnham to run for Labour Leadership if elected in Makerfield by - electoon - Update

Daily Mail: Reports that the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham on BBC's Question Time has admitted that if he wins the Makerfield by - election he will run to replace Sir Keir Starmer as PM and Labour leader.

Let's Get Real:

This was not even a secret, the sole purpose for Andy Burnham running in Makerfield is to be the next PM.  Thus if Andy Burnham does win he will be challenged by Wes Streeting, also there is the possibility that Angela Rayner, the former Deputy PM could run, she has cleared her tax problem.  One doubts Sir Keir Starmer will run, no matter what he says now, Polls of Labour members show that Andy would beat Sir Keir and Wes.  If this blog was advising Sir Keir it would be to announce his resignation after the Makerfield by election if Burnham wins, and give the in till the Labour Conference for the candidates to have a good run, then announce the result at the conference.

Burnham willl bring NEW HOPE for thec UK - Update

Guardian: Reports in its 10.54am post the following, " Hope is in the air,' says Burnham at campaign launch.......British politics is tired. It needs a new script. And over the next four weeks, the people of Makerfield are going to write that script.” 

Let's Get Real:

This does remind one of Tony Blair and New Labour.  A dirty word these days in Labour circles.  The one memory one has of Tony Blair is the IRAQ WAR, one hopes that Burnham is not offering a rehash of New Labour under new management.  The voters of Makerfield deserve better, what are the problems in the area, it can't just be about Burnham ambition to be PM.

Wes Streeting to support Andy Burnham for PM if he wins by -election

The Times: ( Hard Copy ) Reports that the Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting will fold his unofficial leadership campaign if Andy Burnham wins the by -election in Manchester.

Let's Get Real:

This comes from some close to the Wes Streeting campaign, others disagree, it really depends on the Manchester by - election.  Burnham has to win in a REFORM Seat after the recent Council elections, Polls show Burnham beating Streeting in any leadership election.  If Burnham loses, it would be Starmer vs. Streeting, Polls show Starmer beating Streeting, the by - election is in June 18th.

Files on the Former Prince Andrew - Update

BBC News:  Reports in its 11.08am post the following, " Files related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as trade envoy in 2001 released " 

Let's Get Real:

The Starmer Government is trying to divert attention from the non release of more Mandelson papers.  This is an old tactic used by governments in trouble, show a Royal story, even a Ex - Royal.  They are covering the bases before the important by - election in Manchester, will decide the fate of Sir Keir Starmer.

Burnham not for rejoining the EU - Update

Sky News: Reports in its 2.02pm the following post, " Burnham: Brexit 'has been damaging' - but I'm not in favour of rejoining "

Let's Get Real:

The Labour psycho drama goes on, Burnham is running in a REFORM Manchester Seat and has to get elected first if he wants to challenge Sir Keir Starmer.   The Labour Leader is not making it easy, he has stated he is not leaving No 10.  The Burnham EU comments are in sharp contrast to Wes Streeting who wants to rejoin the EU, thus is the view of a vast majority of Labour members.  The papers are having a field day with this unofficial race.

Save Labour - Andy Burnham- Update

Sky News: Reports in its 4.44pm post the following, " Burnham seeking to return to parliament to 'save' Labour  " 

Let's Get Real

What arrogance from the King of the North, does even care about the SEAT he is fighting for, the good voters of the seat, will want an MP who cares about pot holes, lack of affordable houses, the poor state council houses.  Andy gives the impression it is about him and his ambition.  The Reform should have a good chance in the Seat, talk about local issues and keeping out of the EU.

Wes Streeting resigns as Health Secretary - Update

BBC News: Reports the following in its 1.01pm post, " Wes Streeting resigns as health secretary "

Let's Get Real:

Thus the game is afoot, Wes Streeting has resigned, will he declare that he is a leadership candidate to become PM.  One can expect that Angela Rayner and if he can find a seat, Andy Burnham to stand.  Will the PM stand and go out with some dignity, that is the question.

Update: Sky News in its 1.24pm post states  that Streeting will not call for an immediate contest, wants the PM to set out a timetable for his resignation.

Update: BBC News reports in its 5.41pm post that Andy Burnham has found a seat, will the PM try to stop him again. If he does not then he knows that Burnham will challenge him for the leadership.  What will Starmer do?   The one thing King of North has to do is win a by - election.  Reform and the Greens will make it hard for Burnham to win, the by election will be seen as a national contest.

Update: Guardian reports in its 7.00pm post that the PM will not block Andy Burnham from standing in a by - election.  Vote Burnham and DESPATCH Sir Keir could be the unofficial slogan of the Burnham Campaign, the King of the North returns to the House of Commons.

What is will it be Wes ? - Update

Guardian: Reports in its 10.54am post the following, " Kevin Schofield, political editor at HuffPost UK, says a Wes Streeting leadership challenge is now looking more unlikely. "

Let's Get Real:

It seems that the Health Secretary has bottled it, there is nothing worse than political cowardice.  The press and this blogger are fed up, do it man or tell us your not running! 

PM has full confidence in Wes Streeting- Update

Noted: The State Opening of Parliament.  The King has been dragged in to the Labour psycho drama, HM had a successful State Visit to the US, his health does not need Labour Games.  God Save the King.

BBC News: Reports in its 1.50pm post the following, " Starmer has 'full confidence' in Streeting, No 10 says - amid talk of leadership challenge "

Let's Get Real:

Is the PM trying to warn Streeting off and others, or is trying to get inside Streeting head to warn him off.  Thus we wait to see if Angela Rayner enters the race supported by Andy Burnham, could be her Chancellor, seat in the Lords.  Thus we wait the announcement from the Health Secretary that he is resign his post to run.  

Wes Streeting to stand for Labour Leadership - Update

Noted: Trump in China, how will the visit go, US is in a war with Iran, Tehran is ally of China.

BBC News: Reports in its 12.18pm post the following, " Supporters of Wes Streeting expect him to launch leadership challenge "

Let's Get Real:

It seems this blog was wrong last night, Wes Streeting is running for the Labour Leadership, well his Allies have told the press.  Thus one can expect Angela Rayner to run as Andy Burnham is not an MP.  Will PM Starmer run, he could lose to either candidate.  One gets the impression the PM is very stubborn and a process man, he is a lawyer after all.

Wes Streeting NOT to run against Starmer - Update

Daily Mail: Reports " Wes Streeting and Keir Starmer will hold crunch showdown meeting tomorrow over Labour's week of 'turbulence'... but will the health secretary use it to climb down over leadership bid? "

Let's Get Real:

The tone of the article suggest that Streeting will NOT stand against Starmer, that the meeting is just a show that he can tell his supporters that he has talked to the PM and said things have to change.  There is nothing worse than political cowardice, he had the chance today to set off his campaign and keep the King of the North up North.   The failure to ACT will haunt him, the history is written by winners and those that take RISKS.   After today Streeting is busted flush, no will support him in the future, leaders LEAD, and if your chosen candidate is WEAK there will be others who will take the fight to Starmer, the King will have to find a safe seat and win a by-election to get back to the House of Commons.   There are a lot of ifs in the above, someone called it fantasy politics.   Thus Starmer will be with us for the duration.

Angela Rayner Speaks - Update

BBC News: Reports " Angela Rayner has warned that Labour faces its "last chance" after heavy election losses this week, as she backed Andy Burnham to return to Westminster " 

Let's Get Real:

Thus the soft left speaks, the Angela Rayner wing of the Party wants a return to more left wing policies, this is the reason that Sir Keir Starmer must stay.  Angela Rayner has still not cleared her tax problems, that is why she wants to delay any Labour contest, the King of North appeal is to cover herself with the soft left.  Power is taken not shared, and Real contenders do not wait.