What a relief that Andy won by a landslide in the Makerfield Byelection. I've known him for 30 years and got him his first job in politics. Cometh the hour, cometh the man...
Thanks for sharing this, Eleanor. I now so vividly recall the point in my career in the 90s when I worked on a business park getting my lunch from the garage, a pint in the pub in Fridays. I really hope Burnham can do this. He sounds great.
I really hope he can restore people's faith in politicians Eleanor but I am going to trust you on this one for sure. Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine!
Love this Eleanor. I'm a Burnham fan and this gives me even more reason to believe in him. You were there from the start. I think we owe you big thanks!! Although some might not agree. Still, it's time for us to engage and agree to disagree. I hope he can bring an end to divisive politics. Already Streeting is on board so let's not knock him (I like him too ;)
I’m sure all you say about him here is true, Eleanor, but the reality he faces, ie the electorate no longer care or take an interest in what happens, as proven by Brexit, and the insidious rise of social media-led lies and propaganda, is, I suspect, going to be a never ending battle he can’t possibly win.
We simply don’t care enough anymore about anything really worth caring about.
But, all that said, I like him and sincerely hope he succeeds, and given Starmer has lowered the bar so low as a gauge for success, he can’t possibly fare any worse than that other son of a ‘working class man’!
What a brilliant image of the two of you working at 'Tank World.' And what a fantastic vote of confidence in Andy Burnham. There are very few politicians who seem as genuine as the one you describe. Let's hope this goes somewhere.
Love this insight Eleanor. Thank you. And certainly a relief he smashed Reform/Restore on the by election. Let’s watch with interest what happens next…
What did Wes do to you Eleanor? Bit harsh and not very "same side". Cheap shot and unnecessary. Wes and Andy will have to work together if they are to get sh1t done. And I believe that is the actual goal...
Thank you for sharing this. I campaigned hard for Labour to win at the last election, leafleting, canvassing, working in the digital team, ballot telling on polling day etc etc….. I was ecstatic when Labour won - that the change we fought for was finally on its way. Then, a series of poor choices about cost savings, including the winter fuel allowance and not long afterwards, The Disability Bill. I’m AuDHD and in my long film/tv career, as a producer and writer, I’ve supported disabled team members and fought against discrimination. Many of the people I’ve worked with along the way have been able to use PIP, including one BAFTA nominated writer who is partially sighted. With the hostile environment already in place she is struggling with her assessments, which could mean giving up work. Another former colleague has had to leave her job already, having been reassessed and left without the support she needs. With fraud in PIP cases so negligible as to be zero, somehow Labour decided that disabled people are the problem?? Maya Angelou said ‘When people show you who they are, believe them the first time’. The Labour Government I fought for got into power and then decided that the most vulnerable were the problem they wanted to solve. That bill and my MP’s reaction to it (she signed a protest document, then was the only one to take her name off again) meant I felt I had to resign my membership and step away from being active in the constituency. I felt politically homeless. Then, Andy Burnham decided it was finally time to come back into politics. I’d voted for him before in leadership elections, and I grew up in Manchester and on Merseyside. My former brother in law was at Hillsborough, so I always admired the integrity of Andy sticking by the victims and making sure the inquiry happened. I rejoined the Labour Party as the Makerfield election was happening, because if Andy was going to bid for the leadership, I wanted to be able to vote for him again. I’ve been so proud and buoyed up watching the news. It feels great that someone from the northwest like me can actually make a difference at the highest level, instead of the usual Eton suspects! My MP is one of those staunchly loyal to Starmer, but she doesn’t know Andy yet. I hope she’ll take the time to get to know him soon! To Andy I’d say “Well done, our kid!”
Thanks for sharing this, Eleanor. I now so vividly recall the point in my career in the 90s when I worked on a business park getting my lunch from the garage, a pint in the pub in Fridays. I really hope Burnham can do this. He sounds great.
Hope you're right, Eleanor and that he is as far left as you reckon he is. Guess we will in all probability find out.
Well let’s just be grateful that he seems to be able to beat Reform!!
This is very reassuring!
A great example of the power of connections too.....
Yes - why it is so important if we have been born into privilege like me to open the door to others! My step mother Tessa Jowell always taught me that
I really hope he can restore people's faith in politicians Eleanor but I am going to trust you on this one for sure. Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine!
Love this Eleanor. I'm a Burnham fan and this gives me even more reason to believe in him. You were there from the start. I think we owe you big thanks!! Although some might not agree. Still, it's time for us to engage and agree to disagree. I hope he can bring an end to divisive politics. Already Streeting is on board so let's not knock him (I like him too ;)
Such a joy to read, on so many levels. Thank you Els x
So glad - how are you sweetheart?
I’m sure all you say about him here is true, Eleanor, but the reality he faces, ie the electorate no longer care or take an interest in what happens, as proven by Brexit, and the insidious rise of social media-led lies and propaganda, is, I suspect, going to be a never ending battle he can’t possibly win.
We simply don’t care enough anymore about anything really worth caring about.
But, all that said, I like him and sincerely hope he succeeds, and given Starmer has lowered the bar so low as a gauge for success, he can’t possibly fare any worse than that other son of a ‘working class man’!
Genuine and down to earth; empowering people.
What a brilliant image of the two of you working at 'Tank World.' And what a fantastic vote of confidence in Andy Burnham. There are very few politicians who seem as genuine as the one you describe. Let's hope this goes somewhere.
Love this insight Eleanor. Thank you. And certainly a relief he smashed Reform/Restore on the by election. Let’s watch with interest what happens next…
Thanks Ruth - at least he might be able to beat reform!
What did Wes do to you Eleanor? Bit harsh and not very "same side". Cheap shot and unnecessary. Wes and Andy will have to work together if they are to get sh1t done. And I believe that is the actual goal...
Thank you for sharing this. I campaigned hard for Labour to win at the last election, leafleting, canvassing, working in the digital team, ballot telling on polling day etc etc….. I was ecstatic when Labour won - that the change we fought for was finally on its way. Then, a series of poor choices about cost savings, including the winter fuel allowance and not long afterwards, The Disability Bill. I’m AuDHD and in my long film/tv career, as a producer and writer, I’ve supported disabled team members and fought against discrimination. Many of the people I’ve worked with along the way have been able to use PIP, including one BAFTA nominated writer who is partially sighted. With the hostile environment already in place she is struggling with her assessments, which could mean giving up work. Another former colleague has had to leave her job already, having been reassessed and left without the support she needs. With fraud in PIP cases so negligible as to be zero, somehow Labour decided that disabled people are the problem?? Maya Angelou said ‘When people show you who they are, believe them the first time’. The Labour Government I fought for got into power and then decided that the most vulnerable were the problem they wanted to solve. That bill and my MP’s reaction to it (she signed a protest document, then was the only one to take her name off again) meant I felt I had to resign my membership and step away from being active in the constituency. I felt politically homeless. Then, Andy Burnham decided it was finally time to come back into politics. I’d voted for him before in leadership elections, and I grew up in Manchester and on Merseyside. My former brother in law was at Hillsborough, so I always admired the integrity of Andy sticking by the victims and making sure the inquiry happened. I rejoined the Labour Party as the Makerfield election was happening, because if Andy was going to bid for the leadership, I wanted to be able to vote for him again. I’ve been so proud and buoyed up watching the news. It feels great that someone from the northwest like me can actually make a difference at the highest level, instead of the usual Eton suspects! My MP is one of those staunchly loyal to Starmer, but she doesn’t know Andy yet. I hope she’ll take the time to get to know him soon! To Andy I’d say “Well done, our kid!”
What a fab article. Thank you.
Burnham's Coup was Launched by UK Parliamentary Black Caucus MP
by W. Bernell Brooks, Editor: http://theveseyrepublic.com & theveseyrepublic.substack.com
Very interesting. Thanks so much for writing this. I really hope he can do what he wants to do and that he won’t get worn down like so many others.