Mailwatch(ed) Forum

Malcolm Armsteen wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 12:36 pm From a good comrade:

My disappointment is that AB threw his hat in the ring in the first place and the fact that he did does diminish him somewhat. There’s nothing wrong with a politician being ambitious - there isn’t one born who isn’t in some way or another, myself included - but a statesman knows when to make a move and when not to. AB is only 55 and has plenty of time to get back into Parliament and make an impact AFTER he has finished his term as Mayor. I also find it chokingly amusing that the hard left are crying foul for someone that they would otherwise perceive to be an absolute dyed in the wool Blairite. It’s a funny old game, but one that really needs to be taken a damn sight more seriously bearing in mind the threats to democracy posed by the likes of Trump and his ICE thugs, a blueprint that Farage would love to import to our shores. The media, and in particular the rightwing press are driving all the talk of a leadership challenge to Starmer purely because they want something to write about and the fact that we have an actual grown-up in Downing Street who is making a difference. They also conveniently overlook the fact that unlike the Tories, the Labour Party has no formal mechanism to remove a leader and we have never done so!

Couldn't agree more with this spot on assessment. I don't have an aversion to Burnham so have found his antics last week disappointing to say the least for someone who aspires to the top job.