Wes Streeting backs Andy Burnham for Makerfield by-election
Wes Streeting backed Andy Burnham as Labour’s “best chance” of winning the Makerfield by-election, as the former health secretary’s allies said he would still contest any battle for the party leadership.
Mr Burnham declared he would seek permission from Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) to contest the by-election after the current MP, Josh Simons, announced on Thursday he would quit Parliament to make way for the mayor.
If successful, Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.
In a tweet on Friday, Mr Streeting backed his potential rival’s bid to fight the impending by-election, saying Labour needs “our best players on the pitch”.
Imagine three texts from Wes to Andy -
Sorry you lost Makerfield Andy, Reform stole it, you were the best candidate by far. Now you are out of the race I'm prepared to carry the flag for change though.
Sorry Andy, for some reason I posted the last message before the result came in.
Just seen the Makerfield result. Bad luck Andy. Good guess on my part though.
Sorry Andy, for some reason I posted the last message before the result came in.
Just seen the Makerfield result. Bad luck Andy. Good guess on my part though.
11 comments:
How long before we get references to Handy Andy and questions about suits and glasses? Or tax evasion/avoidance/carelessness/innocent error?
dearieme - bound to come fairly quickly if he ever makes it to No.10. Nobody is likely to take bets on a Saint Andy outcome.
From a comments thread in The Times: "... whether a duplicitous NHS compo leech can ever be considered fit for public office"
Dear Andy,
Sorry, there is no country left. I have pissed it all away.
Love Kier.
Restore is deciding whether to challenge.
An AI query result:
"Andy Burnham served as the UK Health Secretary from 2009 to 2010, a period during which the Stafford Hospital scandal reached its peak public attention. He is a central figure in the controversy due to his prior role in approving the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust's status and his subsequent handling of the inquiry process."
Not a positive endorsement in my opinion.
dearieme - is that a Stafford Hospital debacle reference?
Mike - "PS - The House of Lords would be a magnanimous gesture."
James - the publicity might be worth it, if they get any.
DJ - I agree, it's "did not cross my desk" again.
I take it that it's a reference to Ms Rayner.
dearieme - ah yes, of course it is.
Come to think of it, der Sturmer will presumably leak info on Andy once he's been adopted as Labour candidate. It would be foolish to leak it so early that Andy could graciously step aside and live to fight another day. Even better, wait until the opinion polls give Andy a chance and torpedo him then. If, on the other hand, the polls say he's doomed der Sturmer could keep his powder dry for a later fight.
dearieme - yes he's bound to leak info on Andy and the info has probably been compiled already by his staff. He may prefer Andy to Wes as challenger for that reason, he has a fatter file of info.
Post a Comment