[Boiler]

For example:

Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, has said it would be a “democratic outrage” if Labour were to block Andy Burnham from standing as a byelection candidate in Andrew Gwynne’s seat.

Amid claims Keir Starmer’s allies on the national executive committee do want to stop Burnham being a candidate, Wright said:

" It would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked from seeking selection as Labour’s byelection candidate in this seat.

In the event that a byelection takes place, as an affiliated union, the FBU will not stand by and allow senior Labour politicians like Andy to be carved out of this process.

Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection.

It’s vital that there is a full and open democratic procedure to choose Labour’s candidate to fight this byelection.

Anything less would be unacceptable."

[Youngian]

Burnham is the only major politician currently with a net positive approval ratings (about +5). I'd give it about a month of being PM until they're minus 20 or more.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I think Andy would put big boy trousers on in a by-election, but his silly pop at Reeves for caring about (checks notes) the cost of borrowing on our not inconsiderable recurrent borrowings, was not encouraging.

If he became leader, I think he'd have to commit to Reeves keeping her job to avoid a market rout. I can't really think of anyone else who do her job.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Which Andy would get on immigration? The tough guy that's looking over his shoulder at Kippers (who are not uncommon in parts of Greater Manchester) or the relaxed Blair-era politician?

[Boiler]

Gwynne's fucked off.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14rrez0mr4o

[The Weeping Angel]

Oh God, this is all we bloody need.

[Oboogie]

Labour's strongest card currently is Keir's performance in the face serious international tension. Would Andy show his statemenship in a by-election by fully backing the PM? Or is he a Labour Kemi?

That's the problem with Burnham, you never know which one you're going to get.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I think Burnham may rule out standing pretty fast, actually. It's pretty early in the Parliament still. Burnham might wish to jump in later, towards the end of his mayoralty term (2028).

[Youngian]

I think Burnham may rule out standing pretty fast, actually. It's pretty early in the Parliament still. Burnham might wish to jump in later, towards the end of his mayoralty term (2028).

That would gain him more friends and one in the eye for the yapping media who are currently jerking off with speculation stories.

If there's a serious Reform challenge and Burnham is the man to beat them then so be it.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

... the yapping media who are currently jerking off with speculation stories.

BBC reporter having an orgasm live on air...

[Tubby Isaacs]

More fun than reporting the economy doing better than they told us it was.

[Youngian]

How much prominence has Carney’s seminal geopolitical speech at Davos given by BBC terrestrial news compared to Burnham speculation?

[Malcolm Armsteen]

On the BBC international RSS feed the speech isn't mentioned at all, but Trump's reaction is...
Burnham is #2 on the UK feed.
Carney's speech doesn't get a mention on the World news web page, either.

They've been Gibbed,

[Andy McDandy]

Moderately complex ideas delivered soberly just isn't sexy enough. Let's concentrate on the old man. Either he looks dumb and past it, or he says something inflammatory (or both). Either way, we can mock him while secretly getting off on his edginess.

[Abernathy]

If Burnham were still an MP and not the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, then fair enough - let him put up a challenge for the leadership if he has the PLP support (though I still think it would be an incredibly stupid move).

But he isn’t. Triggering a mayoral by-election would cost the party a fortune monetarily and potentially damage it politically in a way that may not be recoverable.

Labour could lose the Gorton & Denton by-election, and then where would Burnham be ?

Burnham needs urgently to state publicly that he is not going to seek the by-election candidacy - nor that of any other parliamentary by-election while he remains mayor.

[Crabcakes]

Well he’s applied to stand, so here we go…

[Boiler]

Well, here's hoping he repeats his previous failures. I'm getting heartily sick of this Burnham-fellating, "King In The North" shit. It's unhelpful.

[Abernathy]

Yep. Seems to me to be thoroughly dishonest.

Dear Chair, I write to seek the permission of the NEC to enter the process for the selection of Labour’s candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

"This has been a difficult decision for me to make and I thought it would help members of the NEC if I shared my reasoning in reaching it.

"Of course, nobody wanted or expected a by-election at this time and I have given careful thought to what is in the best interests of our Party and the city-region I represent.

"With that in mind, I have come to the conclusion that this is the moment to mount the strongest possible defence of what we stand for and what we have built in this city over many generations.

"Manchester inspires because it is a place that has always stood for the equality of all people, right back to the cotton workers of 1862 who refused to handle slave-picked cotton.

"In my time as Mayor, I have drawn strength from that tradition and worked hard to unite people. We are famous for our togetherness and, from that foundation, we are achieving huge success as the UK’s fastest-growing city region. And yet, there is now a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other.

"It brings with it a poison we should not let enter our city-region. I see this by-election as the frontline of that fight for the Manchester Way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.

"With your permission to stand, I would run a hopeful and unifying campaign with broad appeal to voters, focusing on the positivity around what we have achieved, whilst at the same time being honest about the alienation people feel from politics.

I left Westminster almost 10 years ago because I felt it too and had a strong sense that it wasn’t working for people in our part of the world.In my current job, I have tried to pioneer a different way of doing things with some success.

But I have learnt in my nine years as Mayor that Manchester won’t be able to be everything it should be without similar changes at a national level. This is why I feel the need to go back.

"When so many people in a city-region like this are struggling to afford the daily basics, they are surely right to question why the country gave away control of them in the first place, in whose interests it is run and why no government of any colour has corrected these things for them.I applaud this Government for being the first in a long time to face up to them and put people before profit.

"The progress already made on rail renationalisation, bus re-regulation, the housing crisis and devolution is truly impressive.

"My role in returning would be to use my experience to help it to go further and faster, as well as communicate the difference it is making.

"I would be there to support the work of the Government, not undermine it, and I have passed on this assurance to the Prime Minister.

"I can assure the NEC that, if allowed to stand and successful in the by-election, I would give my all to the subsequent Greater Manchester Mayoral by-election.

"We have such a powerful story to tell of the change Greater Manchester Labour has brought to the city-region and I am confident we can win and take that success story into a new era.I hope this makes my reasoning clear and I attach the required form with further information.

"Out of respect for this internal process, I will not be giving any further public statements until it is concluded beyond the release of this letter.

"I am sad at the circumstances in which all this has come about and, while he clearly made mistakes, I want to recognise the dedicated service of Andrew Gwynne to this area over many years."

[Youngian]

Manchester inspires because it is a place that has always stood for the equality of all people, right back to the cotton workers of 1862 who refused to handle slave-picked cotton.

Is this some veiled bullshit that he"ll stand up to Trump?

[Oboogie]

The Ego has landed.