While reflecting on the way Andrew Burnham was shoved into No 10, a chap is bound to wonder if Labour could have chosen anyone at all, not necessarily a politician.
Someone acceptable to the Labour Party, well known and a party member of course. Yet presumably membership could have been sorted for a public figure who was not a politician but might be interested in a spell as UK Prime Minister.
For example, should they so choose, were Labour Party fixers able to nudge famous people such as Gary Lineker, Lenny Henry or Stephen Fry into giving it a go via a safe seat, just as Burnham did?
Just a thought while I finish my morning coffee.
For example, should they so choose, were Labour Party fixers able to nudge famous people such as Gary Lineker, Lenny Henry or Stephen Fry into giving it a go via a safe seat, just as Burnham did?
Just a thought while I finish my morning coffee.
3 comments:
But the Men behind the Scenes must have plenty of dirt on Burnham; do they have much on Lineker?
I think they'd probably not want to pick 'famous' people, not because those people might be unpopular, I'm sure they would be very popular. The problem is more that they couldn't control them, they would have come from outside the politics and Establishment bubble. They might have ideas and beliefs that they've kept quite well hidden over the years that would be contrary to the 'narrative'. They would undoubtedly be more independent than the average politician. They might even prove to have more public approval than the party that installed them. They might create a monster they couldn't control. Far better to keep choosing bland political nonentities, who the people behind the curtain can manipulate easily.
dearieme - yes that's the problem, it's a question of control.
Sobers - I agree, the Burnham game has been an interesting political expedient mainly because it shows the level of determination to keep things within the Establishment bubble. It isn't even safe for the politically ambitious to be outside the bubble.
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