BBC News: Reports in its 10.07am post the following, " Starmer says he 'will stand' in any Labour leadership contest "
Let's Get Real:
Thus the clock starts, will Starmer fight in his bunker or go with grace? So far enjoy the popcorn, it looks like a fight between Starmer, Burnham and Streeting. When will the candidates fire the gun to start the race, next week when Burnham officially becomes an MP or will someone jump the queue? We shall see.
Guardian: Reports in its 5.30pm post the following, " Burnham says he wants to ensure Makerfield byelection 'changes British politics', in eve-of-poll speech to supporters "
Let's Get Real:
What Burnham wants is to win Makerfield and become PM. The chief selling point for Burnham is he will replace Sir Keir Starmer, the most disliked PM in the history of polls. The UK voters have had enough of the Starmer u-turns, 15 or 16 at the last count, no charisma. Burnham can promise the earth, economic reality has a way of showing political promises are worthless. Thus a new era with Burnham on Friday, if he wins Makerfield.
The Times ( Hard Copy ): Reports that Andy Burnham has stated he would cut welfare to increase Defence spending.
Let's Get Real:
Andy Burnham states that he will cut welfare in a new way, in other words he is afraid to take on Labour backbenchers if he is elected on Thursday as MP for Makerfield, and becomes PM after a leadership contest. There is a simple and controversial answer, no one gets welfare under 25. In less they are dire circumstances or are not in training or education. That would be BOLD and the right thing to do!
BBC News: Reports in its 12.23pm post the following, " Healey says he has 'no other option' but to resign "
Let's Get Real:
John Healey has done the honourable thing, he says in essence that Starmer promises on Defence cannot be trusted. Interesting what will Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting say, what will be their policy on Defence, its the 1st duty of Government to defend the Realm, time for Sir Keir to go, his time is up.
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.
Sky News: Reports in its 3.30pm post the following, " Top cabinet minister said Labour MPs were asking 'who can we tax to pay benefits to others' "
Let's Get Real:
Lord Peter Mandelson, the Dark Prince has been a disaster for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Government, his unsavory, a friendship with sexual trafficker has shown how much a disaster was the choice to make him the UK's Ambassador to the US. The release of his contacts with the Labour Government Ministers, has shown a low opinion of the PM and shown that Labour just wants to tax people to pay for welfare. This means to hell with the working class, once the bedrock of Labour. The UK needs a General Election and fast, it won't happen as Labour MP's know their careers would come to an end. Who can save Labour NOW, will it be Andy or Wes, we shall see after the by election in Makerfield on June 18th.
The Times ( Hard Copy): Reports that Allies of Sir Tony Blair have stated that the criticism of Blair's critic of Starmer Government have put fire in his belly.
Let's Get Real:
Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting , candidates for the Labour Leadership have been critical of Blair. Burnham and Streeting have stated that Blair does not mention inequality of today in his critic. The candidates have to grow up, since the dawn of time there have been poor people, even with the welfare state there is poor people, its catches them in a welfare prison, more easier life on welfare than searching for jobs that do not exist because of Labour tax hikes or the future with AI. Labour will destroy welfare, ironic since they created it in the first place.
Daily Mail: ( Hard Copy ) Reports that Sir Tony Blair is highly critical of the Starmer Government. The former PM states that Britain is heading towards relegation and Labour has gone to its comfort zone on the left and is to anti business, and hikes taxes to support welfare.
Let's Get Real:
The Labour Party won't listen to a very successful Labour PM and leader. The Party has gone left, it feels morally superior to everyone else. They will never cut welfare as Labour members are to left wing, also we have an unofficial Leadership contest going on. Starmer in political terms is a dodo, whistling pass the political graveyard. Wes Streeting is seen as to much of Blair supporter, why Andy Burnham if he wins Makerfield by election is seen as best suited by Labour members. They won't listen to Blair after Iraq.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BBC News: Reports the following, " It is a "personal decision" for Sir Keir Starmer whether he chooses to fight any potential leadership contest, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said."
Let's Get Real:
Nandy is a Burnham fan but wants to appear loyal to the PM, thus the decision for the PM to resign is up to him. The Culture Secretary said it was odd to bring rejoining the EU up as Streeting did in his speech. In the by - election, the local council has just gone REFORM, Streeting has implied that the UK woes started after the UK left the EU in 2016, voters have other ideas. Thus far the PM has been very quiet since last week.
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.
BBC News: Reports in its 3.39pm post the following, " Wes Streeting says he will stand in potential leadership contest "
Let's Get Real:
Thus the unofficial race for the Labour Leadership has began. The other candidates should be Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner. One starts to feel sorry for Sir Keir, nice man but unfit to be PM. So when will the official race start, well if Burnham wins in Manchester it should be June, all Labour polls show Burnham winning over Starmer and Streeting, so what does Starmer do, enter a race he will lose, or wait to see if Burnham wins in Manchester, in the local council elections the Seat went to Reform. Thus the UK and the Labour Party will have months of an unofficial campaign and an official one in June, should Burnham win, that Seat. If Starmer had any dignity he would announce his resignation and say it would be effective from the Labour Conference. Thus give Burnham time to run and win against Streeting. Or the PM could wait for the by-election and hope Burnham loses to Reform and polls showing his winning over Streeting, endless fun for political reporters and bloggers like this blog.
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.
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.
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.
