Mailwatch(ed) Forum

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.

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).

...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.

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

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

mattomac wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 3:39 pm They've fucked this up so badly.

And in doing so the country.

Crabcakes wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 5:21 pm ...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.

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.

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.

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

I wonder if Rayner now takes the Health job.

soulboy wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 5:39 pm 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.

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.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 6:02 pm

soulboy wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 5:39 pm 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.

They'll want the money, but would sooner spunk it on roads if Reform Wales is anything to go by.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wale ... n-33856798

The Greens have a good candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor, Melanie Earp (nee Horrocks) who was one of the first in her party to back HS2. When asked why she backed it (having not initially) she said she looked at it properly. Among other things, she called out the exaggerated rubbish about environmental damage in the context of a major climate policy. I'm sure she'd spend more than needed on mitigations, but I can live with that.

During the Welsh leaders' debate on Channel 4 News ahead of next month's Senedd election, Mr Thomas promised to build the relief road and upgrades to the A470 and A55 in North Wales. When Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan asked how Reform would pay for it, he replied: “Well, you’ve set aside £14bn for building seven train stations.

You'll be amazed to hear that isn't true.

Abernathy wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 6:04 pm 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.

I think Farage will struggle to dump £5m on a by-election without it being very obvious. Burnham's a bit of a waverer on policy, but a skilled communicator and bruiser.

One problem for Burnham may be that Makerfield voted 64% for Leave. He's not particularly seen as a massive Continuity Remain guy, but It's a good constituency for Farage. And may be a useful reminder to some Labour MPs that not everyone whose vote Labour needs wants "the red lines" torn up. FoM must surely remain a no-no. I think if that's ruled out, someone like Burnham can put the argument in terms of practical trade.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2026 6:21 pm
I think Farage will struggle to dump £5m on a by-election without it being very obvious.

Well, yes, obviously. Not even Farage is daft enough to try that. But I did say a chunk, not the whole 5 million. Which, whatever frog face says, isn’t getting spent on his personal security.

Burnham's a bit of a waverer on policy, but a skilled communicator and bruiser.

Yes, but Reform in Makerfield should not be underestimated.

I'm sure Burnham won't underestimate them.

I think Farage will be intending to keep that money.

Arguably, by aiming to get elected back to parliament in Makerfield, Burnham already has underestimated the strength of Reform in the area. As I said, I think this is quite a huge gamble by Burnham.