Emeritus Prof Christopher MayJan 24

As many expected Andy Burnham has thrown his hat in the ring, yet is emphasising (for now?) he's standing in the forthcoming by-election *for* Manchester.

Now follows a series of stages, each of which Burnham will have to navigate to approach what many assume he wants; a crack at the Labour leadership.

However, at the moment its a bit like a compute game; he has entered level one & now needs to overcome some barriers before progressing to level two (and onwards)

#AndyBurnham #politics

Show threadDonald RoyJan 24
@ChrisMayLA6 #andyburnham has used conciliatory language in his letter asking for permission to apply. This puts the ball in the court of the hardliners on the #labournec - an immediate block would make it particularly difficult to hold the seat in the forthcoming byelection. And many members of the #nec come up for re-election by the membership later this year. However they may yet be blinkered enough to fall into the trap of blocking him and then losing it to #farage, #galloway or #polanski !
Show threadClaire McNabJan 24
@djr2024 @ChrisMayLA6 I am hoping that the #NEC will be blinkered enough block #AndyBurnham, and thereby hasten the #PASOKification of the so-called "#LabourParty". It's time to give this shitshow a decent burial.
Show threadDonald RoyJan 24

@2legged @ChrisMayLA6

If this happened and #labour then lost the seat the most likely result would be a clean sweep of places on the #nec later this year followed by as a sharp a change in the running of the #labourparty as occurred at the beginning of the #starmer era - albeit in a rather different direction!. This might yet save the #labourparrty . However I would much prefer a less dramatic and messy process of change!

Show threadClaire McNabJan 24

@djr2024 Do you actually want to save the #LabourParty?

I want to see it sunk, as quickly as possible. It's primary remaining function is to block the emergence of new movements, and suck the energies of many thousands of people into a machine which destroys hope.

@ChrisMayLA6

Show threadDonald RoyJan 24

@2legged @ChrisMayLA6

I do not know whether I can do so but still think it is worth the effort . I fear that 'new movements' will prove to be a series of 'will o the wisps' as the 'fruit and nut' party has become already!

Show threadClaire McNabJan 24

@djr2024 The last half-decent Labour government ended just short of 50 years ago, in the summer of 1976, when #DenisHealey caved to the #IMF.

It amazes me that after all this time of the so-called #LabourParty producing horrors, some people prefer to cling to the half century of proven failure rather than putting their energies into building something better.

I agree that #YourParty is a ahitshow, but there are strong alternatives in all parts of the #UK.

@ChrisMayLA6

Show threadDonald Roy

@2legged @ChrisMayLA6

I can remember well the autumn of 1976 when the #callaghan government made a deal with the #imf when it would have wiser to wait for the #us administration to change - not my view only! #callaghan had a perniciously arrogant son in law - #peterjay - who was a hard line #monetarist and #neoliberal and had undue influence at the time. Eventually the daughter acquired a much better husband! However at least that #labourparty allowed vigorous internal discussion!

Jan 24 at 9:13pmWeb
Show threadClaire McNabJan 24

@djr2024 Vigorous internal discussion is a very poor substitute for a politics of social democracy.

@ChrisMayLA6

Show threadDonald RoyJan 25

@2legged @ChrisMayLA6

I agree. However it is an essential precursor - which is why suppression of internal discussion through the inappropriate use of disciplinary procedures is deeply troubling - and why changing the composition of the #nec so as to rein this in is as important as changes to the leadership - possibly more so!