So it isn’t unusual that ambitious Labour politicians should be plotting and scheming to supplant Sir Keir Starmer. What is surprising is that they should be so blatant about those desires, as the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has been, just days before the Labour Party conference.
square NEWS How Starmer risks 'empowering' Burnham with Northern Powerhouse Rail delay
Read More
By contrast, Boris Johnson was always the master of the non-denial denial of any ambition. He grew up in an upper-class British culture where it wasn’t quite acceptable to be seen to be too ambitious. Accordingly, he became very good at masking his intense ambition, generally in a cloak of bonhomie and good humour.
Burnham has chosen a more direct style. It is more consonant with his character: plain-spoken, unpretentious, down to earth. This is how the “King of the North” should speak.
Despite his more direct and sincere approach, Burnham is presenting himself like Boris did for much of the 2010s – as an alternative to their actual current leader.
square KITTY DONALDSON Burnham's leadership plans could spark a Truss-style financial crisis
Read More
What has given Burnham’s ambition away has been the timing of this particular intervention. It is no accident that all this speculation has been prompted by an interview, only days before the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Burnham, for all his studied sincerity, can never convince us that this is a coincidence.
I do not know yet what role Andy Burnham will play at this year’s Labour conference, but assume he will play a prominent role. He will be going around, glad-handing activists, drinking pints with party stalwarts, sharing jokes and reminiscences. Andy is good at that.
I think Andy is more of a retail politician and will be more comfortable talking to activists in a bar in Liverpool than the prime minister. Yet, the bonhomie and charm may be there, but replacing Starmer with Burnham will not solve Labour’s fundamental lack of direction or purpose.
Kwasi Kwarteng is a former Conservative MP. He served as chancellor between September and October 2022 under Liz Truss
Hence then, the article about andy burnham is labour s boris johnson he can t save the party was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Andy Burnham is Labour’s Boris Johnson – he can’t save the party )
Also on site :