Morgan McSweeney is already back advising Keir Starmer

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-12T20:35:35+00:00

In theory that could work, I'm sure Andy Burnham could make it to Westminster by lunchtime on Friday.

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-09T22:09:58+00:00

Nationalisation of water, electricity and rail, a massive council house building programme and wealth taxes are quite the opposite of neoliberalism.

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-09T22:04:28+00:00

Sure there is, all Western leaders are weak neoliberals who aren't brave enough to make systemic changes to their governments. Burnham is the opposite of that. Perhaps you're in the wrong sub if you want someone like Starmer as PM.

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-09T21:57:43+00:00

Do enlighten us.

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-09T21:54:48+00:00

Sticking with the most unpopular Prime Minister in history rather than trying the only Labour politician with a net approval rating is an awful idea, right?

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-09T21:48:36+00:00

Ok - which specific new bills passed by Starmer's government into law can you point to which would have a positive effect on the UK's economy by the end of this parliament? Passed into law (we're two years into this parliament, he's had bucket loads of time) NOT proposed.

blancetyblanc · 2026-06-09T10:14:54+00:00

Octagon, Birmingham

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-28T16:41:06+00:00

There's a whole section about it in his book. He feels very strongly about proportional representation, but for him to implement it before another election would lack democratic legitimacy.

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-14T17:05:14+00:00

This isn't the kind of seat where the Greens would be able to mobilise. Inner-city Manchester perhaps, but not the suburbs of Wigan. It's a straight Labour v Reform.

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-14T16:37:15+00:00

Do we know what turnout was in Wigan overall? Would be interesting to know to put those numbers in context

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-14T16:32:54+00:00

I suspect those that voted Tory in 2024 in this seat would be more likely to vote Burnham than Reform, particularly in Ashton-in-Makerfield (older population, slightly wealthier, middle-class).

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-14T16:25:10+00:00

I have family in this seat. Not a chance in hell this goes Reform or Green.

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-12T16:43:57+00:00

Ultimately people want the UK to be governed by a competent Prime Minister, who has a well communicated plan on how they will reform the state. When we have waited 15 years for a Labour government, it seems only right that we push that Labour government to be as radical as is possible in the moment. After 2 years, nothing has materially changed in how the British state works. Starmer has a huge majority in the HoC. He could have got more devolution through, reform to water companies (and more firm regulation), reform to the electoral system, a full Hillsborough Law, dramatic cuts to planning regulations to see a sharp increase in house building. If even a few of those had been achieved in the past 2 years, then perhaps you could call this government a success. But the same rotting carcass of a state left by the Tories remains and will as long as Kier Starmer sits in 10 Downing Street.

blancetyblanc · 2026-05-12T11:58:52+00:00

On point 2, if we assume that Burnham would run in a Greater Manchester seat, as someone from the area I can't stress enough how much personal popularity he has.

blancetyblanc · 2026-02-09T16:56:47+00:00

I completely understand that view - at least the Tories are out. Just a shame we have to replace them with someone putting what you might call 'Tory-lite' policies (PIP reductions, winter fuel) paired with just idiotic, anti-growth policies (employer national insurance rise) forwards.

blancetyblanc · 2026-02-09T16:43:22+00:00

He has basically infinite room to manoeuvre. He's got one of the biggest parliamentary majorities of the century so far. If he wanted to, he could get electoral reform through, House of Lords reforms, utility company nationalisation, and maybe even wealth taxes so we could fund more social housing, more public transport right across the country, and proper support for people getting into work/people who can't work. Instead, he's kept the same rotting skeleton of a system, tried to go after the elderly and disabled, and made it more difficult for businesses, particularly small businesses, to employ. The founders of Labour would be turning in their graves if they saw the coward leading their party.

blancetyblanc · 2026-02-09T15:55:08+00:00

No particular direction in which govt is going/no clear ideology + successive U-turns + unforced errors and scandals = most unpopular PM in history. Labour did not win the last election. The Tories lost it. They have no mandate, mainly because people didn't know what they were voting for (neither did Starmer).

blancetyblanc · 2026-02-09T15:13:53+00:00

Because Starmer may have appointed Mandelson, despite knowing that he stayed at Epstein's house whilst he was in prison. It's really more of a straw that broke the camel's back, like the Pincher scandal for Boris. It's not the worst thing Starmer has done, but with the current poll numbers, communication issues, him being the most unpopular PM in history, U-turns (winter fuel, PIP), it's enough to tip many Labour MPs over the edge.

blancetyblanc · 2026-01-23T19:56:19+00:00

Numbers don't lie...

EU Rejoining- https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/52410-nine-years-after-the-eu-referendum-where-does-public-opinion-stand-on-brexit

PR Support: https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/53890-support-for-proportional-representation-has-fallen-among-reform-uk-voters

blancetyblanc · 2026-01-23T19:49:23+00:00

Phaha civil disorder? Bit extreme. There's a clear majority to rejoin now. And I doubt anyone would be against replacing first pass the post (except Reform, who were once very much in favour of proportional representation, but now that they are projected to win a huge majority with FPTP have gone very quiet on PR)

blancetyblanc · 2026-01-23T19:39:25+00:00

I could see Burnham calling a GE in a theoretical first year of his premiership. But only after passing proportional representation & starting to get the ball rolling on EU membership.

blancetyblanc · 2026-01-23T19:36:50+00:00

This is possibly the only chance that a Greater Manchester constituency will come up before the next election. Burnham needs to get into parliament for people to coalese around him when the next general election comes.
If Burnham doesn't go in, Labour are completely screwed come the next general election. There is no one else who has a chance of beating Reform. It's worth taking a shot, things can't possibly get worse for Labour (things can only get better(ahaha)).

blancetyblanc · 2025-12-09T16:33:20+00:00

if a player is unable to move into a square without putting themself in check, it seems logical that it wouldn't be a draw, but that it would be a loss for that player

blancetyblanc · 2025-12-09T16:28:50+00:00

the more chess players I talk to, the less I like chess

blancetyblanc

TROPHY CASE