[Tubby Isaacs]

FBU general secretary Steve Wright said millions of working-class people had rejected “Keir Starmer’s Labour party”.
He told delegates at the conference at the University of Warwick that the message could not be clearer, adding: “Starmer is not fit to lead the Labour party, and he is not fit to be prime minister. This is Starmer’s fault and Starmer must go.”

Why this fantasy that the working class are Corbynites? It's as silly as the Blue Labour stuff that sees Labour's support as stuck in 1974 social conservatism.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Here are the FBU on the Labour working rights manifesto promise. Hilariously it starts with Dear Brothers/Sisters, as if anyone talks like that.

https://www.fbu.org.uk/circulars/2024ho ... bargaining

All very positive. And implemented, as a priority. Unfit Starmer letting the working class down.

I'm surprised to see unions don't commission more polls to see how their members vote. Surely they'd do that if it was 50% Labour, 50% TUSC or whatever. Am I being unduly suspicious in thinking they don't do this because lots of them vote Tory-Kipper, and this would raise awkward questions for left leaders elected on small turnouts? (In fairness the FBU turnout at 29% is one of the better ones).

[Crabcakes]

...and here comes Andy B.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... ership-row

Obviously, all this absurd instability is terrible. But it'll be fucking hilarious if Burnham loses a gifted by-election.

[Tubby Isaacs]

It's not the safest seat. If he can run there and romp home, I'll be impressed.

[soulboy]

It will be interesting to see what happens to Northern Powerhouse Rail under the inevitable Reform mayor.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

They've fucked this up so badly.

And in doing so the country.

[Abernathy]

...and here comes Andy B.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... ership-row

Obviously, all this absurd instability is terrible. But it'll be fucking hilarious if Burnham loses a gifted by-election.

Agreed. Makerfield is by no means a certainty even if Burnham is permitted to run. I’m not even sure he would have held on to Gorton & Denton. I’ll die laughing if he runs and comes third.

[Abernathy]

And in other news, Beth Rigby is getting right on my tits. Got to admire Pat McFadden for not going roud the desk and bloody throttling her.

[Abernathy]

PS. Burnham has announced he will be seeking NEC permission to seek the candidacy in the Makerfield by-election.

In other news, Pope Leo has confirmed that he definitely is a catholic.

[Tubby Isaacs]

And fair enough really. No way the NEC can turn him down again.

I wonder if Rayner now takes the Health job.

[Tubby Isaacs]

It will be interesting to see what happens to Northern Powerhouse Rail under the inevitable Reform mayor.

The Reform mayor will want the Government to spend money in his area, same as every mayor. Will probably spend his time opposing asylum hotels, that sort of thing.

[Abernathy]

Makerfield is interesting. Josh Simons’ majority in 2024 was only about 5,000. The Green Party was a distant fifth.

Reform will be “throwing everything” at the by-election, no doubt spending a chunk of Farage’s illicit 5 million quid present from Thailand.

It’s quite a gamble by Burnham.