Burnham enters the fray
Peter Hoskin 3:09pm
Oh dear. The Labour leadership speculation is back in full effect, thanks to Paul Waugh's scoop in the Standard. According to Paul, Andy Burnham is "prepared to throw his hat into the ring" to succeed Gordon Brown, should it all go wrong for Labour in the next election. Apparently, he's even lined up Tessa Jowell as his campaign manager – although, naturally, the Health Minister is downplaying the claims.
One thing's for sure: this story is badly timed for Labour – with their recent progress in the polls – and Brown could well do without another bout of leadership wrangling to undermine his premiership.
But what about Burnham – has he got what he takes to become Labour leader? Myself, I suspect he'd be too much of a neither-here-nor-there candidate for the Labour faithful. His Blairite roots (he was expected to jump ship when James Purnell resigned back in June) will put off the increasingly dominant left-wing of the party. Whereas his subsequent backtracking on health reform will put off those on the right of the party. Then again, it's that kind of thing which could see him fill the role of the compromise candidate. Like I said: oh dear.
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Dave B
December 1st, 2009 3:39pm Report this commentOn the plus side, Clegg wouldn't look such a muppet.
General Zod
December 1st, 2009 3:41pm Report this commentHe'd have to lay off the make-up.
Stuart Seacole Smith
December 1st, 2009 3:50pm Report this commentIs it just me, or does Burnham look like a Thunderbirds puppet? In any case, some sort of dramatic International Rescue style turn-around is what Labour will most likely need if it's to pass the laugh-test in opposition.
Liz Brown
December 1st, 2009 3:56pm Report this commentQuick! Buy shares in mascara companies. i wouldn't waste my breath on Burnham
Old Narcolept
December 1st, 2009 4:05pm Report this commentYawn.
Dorothy Wilson
December 1st, 2009 4:27pm Report this commentI agree with all these comments. He would also need to lay off the hair dye!
However, linking this with the discussion on the opinion polls, it seems that Labour are not confident they are closing the gap.
Woody
December 1st, 2009 4:55pm Report this commentAndy Burnham for Labour Leader, they must be scraping the barrel. He makes George Osborne and Nick Clegg look like a couple of pensioners.
Cheered me up though.
Snowman
December 1st, 2009 5:04pm Report this commentMy money's on Ken Dodd. The mess will remain, but we will laugh alot.
Bexleyite
December 1st, 2009 5:21pm Report this commentHe's very pretty. He's got a really nice ethnic accent. But he's only where he is faute de mieux.
That doesn't make potential him leadership material.
Vulture
December 1st, 2009 5:40pm Report this commentAdd Burnham's false eyelashes to Purnell's spivvy sideburns and you'll have a dream team.
David Lindsay
December 1st, 2009 5:49pm Report this commentIs today the First of December, or the First of April?
Austin Barry
December 1st, 2009 7:51pm Report this commentUnfortunately, although they are both happily married men, Burnham resembles the catamite to Brown's florid patron.
daniel maris
December 2nd, 2009 2:14am Report this commentBurnham?
Mascara man?
Come on, you can not be serious.
There are loads better candidates for Labour starting with Peter Hain, Lord Mandelson, Alistair Darling and Charles Clarke
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