Mailwatch(ed) Forum

I thought I would set this up as it’s across three posts at the moment.

If people think it’s premature then so be it but if Burnham is defeated then it seems Wes will challenge regardless

Rumours that Starmer will look to a reasonable timetable for departure which probably would free a couple of candidates up. In any election I will not be voting for Streeting or Burnham but I do have a preference.

If Burnham doesn’t win Makerfield his political career is surely at an end. It would mark the third time that he has tried, and failed, to become leader of the Labour Party/Prime Minister.

The (quite) interesting question is whether he actually is obliged to resign as mayor in order to contest the by-election. There is a view that he would only be obliged to resign the mayoralty if he wins and is elected to parliament, so if he fails, he’ll be able to continue with the mayoralty. I’m not sure how true this is.

Seems like he doesn't have to resign the mayoralty to run.

Abernathy wrote: ↑Sun May 17, 2026 7:32 pm If Burnham doesn’t win Makerfield his political career is surely at an end. It would mark the third time that he has tried, and failed, to become leader of the Labour Party/Prime Minister.

Here's hoping he gets his comeuppance then.

Don't care who wins, just not looking forward to it dragging on for months. Nothing less interesting than the Labour party's internal psychodrama. I had hoped we had got rid of that shit when the Tories left office but nope. Less than two years on from winning 400+ seats here we are.

Burnham's a little bit less dull than Keir but he inexplicably enjoys rock star status Manchester. But so does Chris Martin among some audiences.
Rather puzzle over PM Andy's personality cult following than PM Boris or Nigel's.
What happened to 'professional politician never had a real job' being Kryptonite? As that's what Burnham is. Its a rubbish POV anyway.

Youngian wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 7:04 am Burnham's a little bit less dull than Keir but he inexplicably enjoys rock star status Manchester. But so does Chris Martin among some audiences.
Rather puzzle over PM Andy's personality cult following than PM Boris or Nigel's.
What happened to 'professional politician never had a real job' being Kryptonite? As that's what Burnham is. Its a rubbish POV anyway.

It's part if it's from Manchester it must be better and part the football adage that the longer a player's out of the team, the better he gets.

There is a danger here; these two are going to be sucking three months' of oxygen out of the discourse that both are going to be associated with drama and attention-seeking nonsense.

Ergo: Square One.

Welcome to the Weimar Republic folks bar hyperinflation.

Christ alive. Just seen a post online about the last PM to enter No. 10 after winning an election and leave it after losing an election.

It was Ted Heath

Crabcakes wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:02 am Christ alive. Just seen a post online about the last PM to enter No. 10 after winning an election and leave it after losing an election.

It was Ted Heath

And the previous one was Atlee.

davidjay wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:05 am

Crabcakes wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:02 am Christ alive. Just seen a post online about the last PM to enter No. 10 after winning an election and leave it after losing an election.

It was Ted Heath

And the previous one was Atlee.

Wouldn’t it be Wilson in 70?

I think there have only been three PMs to have "gone to term" since 1945 and they were indeed Attlee (1945 - 1951), Wilson (1966 - 1970) and Heath (1970 - 1974).

That does of course exclude the grocer's daughter.

Major and Brown would be the last to go a full term without seeking an election wouldn’t they.

There or there abouts.

Sunak went about 5 months early didn’t he?

Looks like a coronation unless Rayner fancies a go. Streeting has decided his best bet is sucking up to Burnham.

Hope Burnham at least sees right through it and gives him short shrift.

If I were Burnham, I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. He's made it overtly clear that he's after the top job, and he'll stab anyone in the back to get it.

If he had enough backing to be a serious challenge or anything other than a contrary dog yapping around the leader's heels, he'd have triggered a leadership contest before now - he's just after a foot in the door.

Streeting is as popular as waking up to find there's shit in your sock (h/t to the Sleaford Mods there).

All of the legacy media outlets that've been asking for Streeting's opinion on everything practically since Starmer came into office seem to've lost his 'phone number since he resigned, or is it just me?

What’s the shittest cabinet post?

Actually save that for Lucy Powell, I am sure after spending months banging on about the members need for a say she will say not on this.

mattomac wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:07 am

davidjay wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:05 am

Crabcakes wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:02 am Christ alive. Just seen a post online about the last PM to enter No. 10 after winning an election and leave it after losing an election.

It was Ted Heath

And the previous one was Atlee.

Wouldn’t it be Wilson in 70?

Wilson later stepped down pre-election.