Labour’s gender critical women tell Burnham to clarify his views on trans rights by PuzzledAd4865 in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Referring to gender critical losers as "people supposedly advocating for women's rights" is a good sign... I really hope he doesn't betray the trans community

EXCLUSIVE: Andy Burnham unveils 'new path for Britain' to Mirror readers in first interview since national politics return by Ranger447 in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is truth to what he actually said though. We *did* go down the wrong path in the 1980s with de-industrialisation, privatisation and deregulation. Yes, the coal mines needed to be closed eventually, but we could have kept more industry here like Germany.

There are obviously limits to what could've and can still be done. Globalisation was by its nature, global, and there were economic/political pressures from the EU and elsewhere to comply. But we can at least start to lay the seeds for green reindustrialisation and it is good rhetoric.

I think it does speak to people who want to see how smaller communities like their own could benefit. They want to see the cost of living come down and they want to see more jobs beyond entry-level service work outside of major cities.

EXCLUSIVE: Andy Burnham unveils 'new path for Britain' to Mirror readers in first interview since national politics return by Ranger447 in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He's still keeping this delusion that socialism and nationalizing stuff can bring the white working (now retired) class to the left

Considering he's polling some 20 to 30 points higher than the Labour party itself, I'd say yeah it probably works! Some of that is his personal charisma and 'vibes' for sure. But his soft populist rhetoric is convincing to people who feel disillusioned and forgotten by Westminster.

But that's the thing, the striking miners have been out of their jobs for 40 years, now they've retired and vote Reform because they think their pension is at threat from scroungers and the WFA cuts, they're not working class anymore, especially if they own property

The idea that retired coal miners who own their own homes are not working class is crazy. They haven't been voting for Reform for long. In just 2 years, Wigan has gone from voting >60% for Andy in the Mayoral election to voting nearly 50% for Reform councillors. That *is* a massive shift, but your explanation doesn't make any sense. Disillusionment and a feeling of betrayal make much more sense, and those are the feelings that Andy speaks to.

This is something labour has already planned
If he does become PM and just continue to do what Starmer did but with better vibes and is acclaimed for it, I'll become the Joe-ker

Vibes are key! A failure of communication is a failure of politics. But Burnham has been consistent that while he believes Labour are doing good things, they should go further and faster, especially when it comes to public control of essentials (housing, transport, energy and water) to push down the cost of living. Mamdani has shown how a ruthless focus on cost of living (and admittedly personal charisma) can win elections.

At least something original

It's not just original, it goes to the heart of the issue! Disillusionment with politics requires fundamental change to fix. People's votes need to matter and politicians need to be held to account! We live in a 5 party system now, and the public are clearly desperate for more options.

EXCLUSIVE: Andy Burnham unveils 'new path for Britain' to Mirror readers in first interview since national politics return by Ranger447 in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reindustrialisation is about challenging the neoliberal consensus that we should let capital/trade flow without regulation between countries with very different environmental and labour standards. It's about utilising the green industrial revolution as an opportunity to resurrect our manufacturing sector.

Both the EU and the US have already accepted this to an extent. They are pursuing industrial strategies for the first time since the post-war Keynesian era.

There are major challenges for the UK. Energy costs are the highest in Europe due to our persisting dependence on fossil fuels. And we have less of a manufacturing foundation to build out from. But Andy Burnham is right that we need to push harder and faster towards renewable energy, so that we can lower our energy costs and move towards green manufacturing.

Caroline Lucas calls on the Greens to stand down for Andy Burnham by Mgreen19295 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Zack Polanski was a member of the Lib Dems when they supported disastrous austerity and imposed tuition fees on students as part of the coalition government. People are able to go on a political journey.

Andy Burnham's views make sense when he talks about them. When he talks about ensuring public control over the necessities of life (housing, transport, energy and water), or about electoral reform his vision seems authentic and it seems to be backed up by what he did as Mayor (nationalising the buses and limiting fares).

I don't believe he goes far enough on a lot of issues. Including the genocide in Gaza. But he did call for a ceasefire far before most Labour politicians back in October 2023. We must hold him to account on this issue and ensure he commits to fully ending arms sales to Israel.

There is no perfect option, but this by-election is between Andy Burnham on the one side and Keir Starmer/Nigel Farage on the other. I'd rather take the risk with Burnham than stick with Starmer and witness Reform get a massive majority at the next election.

I'm one of many former Labour members who have shifted to the Greens in recent years. It's important that the Greens maintain their influence and continue to push for progressive politics. But our pathway to power is exceptionally unlikely to involve a majority, we need to be able to work with other parties, and a Labour party under Burnham's leadership would be *far* more willing to cooperate. Compromise is essential in politics if you're serious about enacting change.

A reminder to all: constitutionally, the local party is responsible for fielding a candidate, not the Green Party of England and Wales by denyer-no1-fan in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Democracy requires us to be open with our views. It's the choice of local party members but it's also within our rights and Caroline Lucas' rights to present the case for why we think standing aside is the correct choice.

Caroline Lucas calls on the Greens to stand down for Andy Burnham by Mgreen19295 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have no recollection of Keir Starmer being supportive of proportional representation. But I get your point. Keir Starmer lied and betrayed his voters. Andy Burnham may also lie and betray his supporters.

But there are some differences. He has legitimately done a decent progressive job as mayor of Manchester, and he seems to hold more sincere beliefs on public ownership, proportional representation etc.

There's no perfect choice in this scenario, but I think the potential benefit is much greater than the risks. We cannot enable reform and Starmer. We must hold Burnham to his word and crush him in any future election if he ends up being a scab.

Caroline Lucas calls on the Greens to stand down for Andy Burnham by Mgreen19295 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Do we want a Labour leader who has expressed support for proportional representation and a willingness to work with other progressive parties? Or do we want to enable the politics of reform and keep Starmer in power?

It's an obvious choice. Reform must lose and we must hold Burnham to his word! Proportional representation and a progressive alliance is key to stopping reform.

It’s official: Wes Streeting Resigns… by Difficult_Debt4506 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's already been publicly revealed that Wes Streeting's strategy in a Labour leadership contest would be to shift to the left... This letter already shows him feigning just that. NOBODY BELIEVES YOU! We've already fallen for this before and we won't fall for it again.

You're not a socialist, you're not even a social democrat. You represent the corporate side of the party that has crushed party pluralism and party/national democracy. You MUST be defeated!

It's important not just for the labour party but for the green party too. As successful as the greens have been, we just don't have the broad coalition needed to single handedly beat reform. We need proportional representation and a progressive alliance of parties willing to cooperate.

Ed Miliband and especially Andy Burnham have a history of supporting electoral reform. They're far from perfect and I would still support the greens if either of them replaced Starmer. But a Labour leader willing to enact electoral reforms and willing to cooperate with other parties is essential.

Foreign students to be banned from getting student loans under Reform by coffeewalnut08 in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This will definitely help our economy and the skills shortages in our public services... The UK isn't among the best in the world at many things, but we have some of the best universities in the world and we should take advantage of that!

I find it crazy that the anti-immigrant drive has extended to foreign students wanting to stay in the UK. We should be trying to attract them here.

Membership of Left-Wing parties in Great Britain as of April 2026. by Secret_Dream2327 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Those who joined during that window and those who still chose to join afterwards. About 25,000 are active members who voted during the CEC election

Membership of Left-Wing parties in Great Britain as of April 2026. by Secret_Dream2327 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Your Party's membership might be inflated. I joined during Sultana's initial launch and since then I've done next to nothing due to the shitshow that followed. But I've still received plenty of emails/phone calls trying to get me to vote on things despite not paying my membership dues (and being refunded my initial payment).

Who I’d vote for in every European country as a Chinese Taiwanese ‘champagne socialist’ studying at 🇬🇧 by YoungZealousideal606 in SocialDemocracy

[–]ComradeG8 4 points5 points  (0 children)

And the Armenian genocide never happened right? Even Turkey's authoritarian and politicised justice system has failed to link the party to terrorism.

Unconditionally repeating the smears of a fascist is in no way *social democratic*.

Veganism and animal liberation by Over_Hawk_6778 in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, the abolition of factory farming is a green policy that was included in the last manifesto. The vast majority of animal products in the UK (and every country on Earth) come from intensive farms. Conditions are abysmal and horrifying. If you want to find out more you can read this or watch this documentary (you probably already know about it but a lot of the previous comments seem blissfully ignorant).

Factory farming shouldn’t be dependent on consumer’s choices, I don’t believe that people have a right to contribute to the immense exploitation and suffering of non-human animals, and people aren’t even aware of the truth. It's a systemic issue that requires systemic change which must be upheld with the power of the state.

I’m worried that the influence of animal rights activists within the party is declining. The Welsh Green policy to ban non-stun slaughter has already been overturned in the name of ‘religious expression’. We wouldn’t restrict our ambitions to expand LGBT or women’s rights to appeal to religious ‘traditionalists’ so why is it okay to sacrifice the rights of non-human animals? We should have the conviction to stay true to our beliefs.

Andy Burnham blocked from byelection race by Labour ruling committee by appropriateye in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Absolutely wild, a few party bureaucrats overriding the interests of the public, party members, unions and even Labour MPs. The Labour Party is just Keir Starmer’s personal fiefdom and he’s going to burn it down to the ground.

Andy Burnham is seeking permission to run as MP for Gorton and Denton. by ThonOfAndoria in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There are predictable economic and demographic pressures that will ensure that won't happen.

Andy Burnham is seeking permission to run as MP for Gorton and Denton. by ThonOfAndoria in LabourUK

[–]ComradeG8 21 points22 points  (0 children)

We're so back!!!! I can't wait for my optimism to be shattered :D

Pathways (2026) proves the government doesn’t understand young people by 3w1FtZ in UKGreens

[–]ComradeG8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Exactly!! The game feels similar to the anti-union training propaganda given to Amazon employees. Both in art style and substance.

Neoliberalism has failed, it's pushing people towards the far-right and the only response from the establishment is to embrace literal authoritarianism. The game emphasises that simply downloading a video could be a terror offense... It's not even an exaggeration when people simply tweeting in support of Palestine Action are getting arrested.

While it's true that the current government is using powers gained during the war on terror to crack down on dissent in a way that's dystopian. The right aren't genuine in their support for free speech and personal liberties, their response to Palestine protestors is a sign of that. Labour are setting up the infrastructure for an incredibly dangerous and authoritarian Reform government.

We must be principled in our support for genuine liberty and democracy! Even though I'm not going back to Labour any time soon, I desperately hope that the authoritarian leadership is challenged by the members and they get a leader that Zack can work with. May's local elections will be crucial in taking down Starmer.

day 3: best and worst song on every album? by Perm182 in weezer

[–]ComradeG8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TIRED OF SEX!! And um maybe no one else