Jennifer Evans🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🕷 @divojen

I've rarely heard such a misguided argument. The Labour Party is built on democratic principles. It is not simply a parliamentary club run by MPs. Its members have always played a central role in choosing the Party's leader. To argue that the Parliamentary Labour Party alone should decide who leads the Labour Party is to abandon one of the Party's fundamental democratic principles. If that's the future you want for Labour, then perhaps you've forgotten what the Party is supposed to stand for.

At the very least, all this need explaining and answering.

Lee Nallalingham @LNallalingham

a week ago

🚨 Did Andy Burnham breach the Ministerial Code? The timeline behind No 10 North raises serious questions. Today I’ve written to Sir Laurie Magnus and Dame Antonia Romeo asking them to investigate. As a member of the public I can’t force an investigation… …so hopefully an

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Yet you chose not to trust the views of the grassroots or the wider Labour Party membership. Instead, the decision rested solely with the Parliamentary Labour Party. The PLP has put itself in this position and must therefore accept the consequences. If the Party is not united, it should come as no surprise. Around 400 Labour MPs do not, by themselves, represent the Labour Party. The Party is made up of hundreds of thousands of members whose voices deserve to be heard, particularly when it comes to choosing their leader. This Prime Minister has not been elected by Labour MPs, nor by the Labour Party membership, nor by the British electorate in a general election.

Please stop with this bollocks that we don’t vote for a leader. Of course we bloody do.

Not only did Team Burnham plot a coup against a sitting elected PM, it’s evident they’re rebranding every initiative that was announced under Starmer, as a Burnham one..as if they want to eradicate Starmer’s very existence bc electorate didn’t vote for their version of the Party

Ian Stewart @scedis_

a week ago

@MarieTidball This change was announced in last year's budget. It doesn't take effect until April 2027. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

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The suggestion that creating a "Number 10 North" somehow transforms the way government operates is difficult to sustain. Ministers have always been able to meet regional mayors, local authorities and business leaders wherever they choose. They can travel, hold meetings across the country, or, as in this case, even meet virtually. None of that requires a second "Number 10". The constitutional centre of the United Kingdom remains Downing Street in London. Cabinet decisions, the Civil Service, Parliament and the principal departments of state are centred there. Establishing a branded office elsewhere does not relocate those institutions or alter how decisions are made. If the objective is to listen to regional leaders of the whole country, that has always been possible without creating a new political symbol. If the objective is to devolve powers, that is achieved through legislation, funding settlements and the transfer of statutory authority, not by putting a "Number 10" sign on another building. Holding meetings in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Exeter, Bristol, Canterbury, Brighton or anywhere else is entirely sensible if it improves engagement. But presenting that as a fundamental change in how government works risks confusing symbolism with substance. The effectiveness of government depends on the powers delegated, the resources provided and the quality of decision-making, not on the postcode of the meeting room.

I find Angela Rayner's comments entirely unconvincing. The suggestion of creating another Number 10 elsewhere in the United Kingdom is, in practical terms, little more than a political gimmick. The seat of government is, and should remain, at Number 10 Downing Street. No Prime Minister, nor indeed the Monarch, would routinely conduct the affairs of state from Manchester. For reasons of security, logistics and the concentration of government departments, London will inevitably remain the centre of government. If the objective is genuinely to spread investment and decision making across the country, a far more sensible approach would be to establish satellite government offices in regions that have suffered long term industrial decline. Places such as Newcastle and parts of Yorkshire would benefit far more from sustained government investment and the relocation of departments than Manchester. Those areas have endured decades of economic change and would gain much more from improved infrastructure, skilled employment and a lasting government presence.

I supported Corbyn when he was leader because I believed in the Labour Party, try as I might, I can’t offer support to Burnham, I have no belief in him after what he did and little belief in the Party anymore. It’s a really sad situation.

@Anniepop2027 @Carriegusewize @LBC Alex more interested in herself than her constituents..Only want to open her mouth in front of a mic in a studio..She is not as popular has she thinks she is in her constituency..

Mike Tapp was doing an excellent job. This is just factionalism. It's a senseless bloodbath.

Interesting that the same Burnhamites who ousted Starmer on the basis he wasn't very popular, are now arguing that people don't vote for a PM but for a party. So why oust Starmer? Whoopsie.

Vince. Proud Starmerite @Vinc_Ev_

2 weeks ago

Lots of Burnham supporters keep trying to dictate what we vote for. I keep hearing you don't vote for a PM, but for a party. Or you only vote for an MP. Well. I know why I voted. I can say 100% that if what is on offer now had been in 24, it wouldn't have got my vote!!

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I am truly and utterly disgusted by this. If the Government is retreating from the commitment to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP, it represents a serious weakening of Britain's position on the international stage. Our allies expect Britain to honour its commitments, and our adversaries pay close attention to any sign of hesitation. Defence is not an area for political expediency. It is a fundamental responsibility of government. Sir Keir Starmer made a clear commitment to strengthen our national defence. If that commitment is now being abandoned, ministers owe the country an honest explanation. I cannot support stepping back from a policy that I believe is essential to the security of the United Kingdom. Those who serve in our Armed Forces deserve clarity, commitment and the confidence that their Government will provide them with the resources needed to defend this country.

Financial Times @FT

2 weeks ago

Streeting refuses to commit to 3% defence spending ambition ft.trib.al/3UyhueN

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Darren Jones has exposed the first major flaw in Andy Burnham's economic narrative. The Government claimed that the reduction in VAT on domestic electricity would be funded by scrapping the Digital ID programme. Yet Jones pointed out that the programme had never been funded within existing budgets. If there was no funded budget to cancel, there were no savings to redirect. That leaves one obvious question: where is the money actually coming from? Unless the Government can provide a credible answer, this looks less like a funded tax cut and more like additional public spending dressed up as a saving.

Nesil Caliskan MP @Nesil_Caliskan

2 weeks ago

The cost of living is the thing that my constituents in Barking & Dagenham raise with me more than anything else. This VAT cut on household bills is so welcome, @andyburnham is right to make this one of his first announcements as Prime Minsiter.

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Darren Jones has exposed the first major flaw in Andy Burnham's & John Healey economic narrative. The Government claimed that the reduction in VAT on domestic electricity would be funded by scrapping the Digital ID programme. Yet Jones pointed out that the programme had never been funded within existing budgets. If there was no funded budget to cancel, there were no savings to redirect. That leaves one obvious question: where is the money actually coming from? Unless the Government can provide a credible answer, this looks less like a funded tax cut and more like additional public spending dressed up as a saving.

John Healey @JohnHealey_MP

2 weeks ago

Our purpose is to put more money into people’s pockets, keep public finances secure, and build an economy that works right across the UK. This is the way we start to build new hope and good growth in every postcode.

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That's why, when Burnham tried to become Labour leader twice before, he failed, because he had to give the reasons, in front of the Labour Members, what his aspirations were and what he hoped to achieve as Leader of The Labour Party.

Tim Chapman 💙 @timchap

2 weeks ago

This Burnham cabinet is not built on competence but on pure favouritism. The complete expulsion of Starmer loyalists will simply create more division and resentment about the coup. I fear that, Burnham’s first attempt at party and Govt unity has already failed its first test.

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Hope you’re going to have more interaction with teachers than you allow Labour members and voters. At the moment, looks like you’re in hiding and remote from those you serve.

Lucy Powell MP @LucyMPowell

2 weeks ago

Every child, wherever they live, should grow up with opportunity on their doorstep. It was a privilege to walk through the door as Education Secretary to start that work.

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@SkyNews @HarrietHarman Harriet didn’t comment on when Burnham and some MP’s were undermining Keir Starmer..And she agreed that the membership wouldn’t get a vote..I always thought better of her..

Lucy Powell has been appointed Secretary of State for Education by Andy Burnham. For many critics of the recent Labour leadership events, this appointment will be seen as a reward for loyalty during the coup to replace Keir Starmer. Many members and supporters remain deeply unhappy with what they regard as the exclusion of the wider Labour membership from that process, and they are unlikely to forget it. As the party moves towards its next conference, I expect these grievances to come to the surface in what could prove to be a difficult and divisive gathering. In my view, Lucy Powell's position as Deputy Leader will come under increasing scrutiny in the years ahead. Whether she can retain the confidence of the party's membership remains to be seen, but I believe she faces a significant political challenge.

Lucy Powell MP @LucyMPowell

2 weeks ago

Absolutely thrilled the be appointed Education Secretary. For me there’s no more important job for any government than making sure young people have the best education, the best opportunities and the best future they can. Lots to do and I look forward to getting started.

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burnham and co. are awfully slow workers for what is essentially a jobs for mates exercise.

Kevin Schofield @KevinASchofield

2 weeks ago

Still updating this, 5 hours (!) after Burnham's reshuffle started. It is taking rather a long time, and still loads of posts to fill ... huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/andy-bur…

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Pay day! 30 pieces of silver!

UK Prime Minister @10DowningStreet

2 weeks ago

Louise Haigh has been appointed as First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office @cabinetofficeuk.

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