Mailwatch(ed) Forum

I thought it was 9-1. On the basis of the rule that as mayor Andy Gobshite has to see out his term.
Interesting that Powell (referred to me as 'pretty vacant' by someone who has met her on several occasions) believes that rules are conditional...

His bond market comments were the biggest black mark against him for me. Pure Polanski. Reeves put up taxes by quite a lot, and increased borrowing. The impression given that she's running some sort of Wolfgang Shauble operation was bollocks and very unhelpful.

Malcolm Armsteen wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 5:26 pm I thought it was 9-1. On the basis of the rule that as mayor Andy Gobshite has to see out his term.

Nah, it was 8-1. Shabana as chair abstained fron voting.

But that was the reasoning? Or a least the stated reason.

The reason for Shabana’s abstention? She was chairing the meeting. Or do you mean to ask what was the reason for the decision to disallow Burnham’s bid to reurn to Westminster? This sums it up pretty well :

"Sorry Andy, but the Labour Party endorsed you, nominated you and campaigned for you to be the Mayor of Greater Manchester for a four year term in an election which you won. We do not see it in the best interests of the Labour Party for you to seek to relinquish that post in less than two years. You owe it to the Party and your electorate to see out your term in office."

Abernathy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 5:56 pm

Malcolm Armsteen wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 5:26 pm I thought it was 9-1. On the basis of the rule that as mayor Andy Gobshite has to see out his term.

Nah, it was 8-1. Shabana as chair abstained fron voting.

Someone of Burnham's seniority must have known the NEC would block him so why make the party go through this reckless panto? Especially as Keir has global crises on his plate. Could have made more new friends by not standing instead of losing some.

You can only conclude that it was to try to whip up resentment within the party against Keir Starmer. The treacherous git.

Abernathy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:43 pm The reason for Shabana’s abstention? She was chairing the meeting. Or do you mean to ask what was the reason for the decision to disallow Burnham’s bid to reurn to Westminster? This sums it up pretty well :

"Sorry Andy, but the Labour Party endorsed you, nominated you and campaigned for you to be the Mayor of Greater Manchester for a four year term in an election which you won. We do not see it in the best interests of the Labour Party for you to seek to relinquish that post in less than two years. You owe it to the Party and your electorate to see out your term in office."

The reasoning that you have set out here.

The Guardian talking of “civil war”.

Well, Burnham can stop that in 5 minutes, if he wants to. Doubtless this will be too much of an effort for him.