A very British coup.

 In a noisy and sunny Downing Street, the prime minister Keir Starmer, resigned. Towards the end of a short statement his voice broke and he was visibly upset. So we now have the process of choosing the next occupant of this difficult job. It’s very likely to be Andy Burnham, unless there is someone else wanting the top job? Wes Streeting, has ruled himself out of the race and has backed Burnham. So probably by the summer recess in July Burnham, will have the key to the famous - black door. Good luck with that old chap. There weren’t any troops or tanks on the streets or police with riot shields and tear-gas- a very British coup. 

The most important thing in the to do list for Burnham - will be his choice of his cabinet colleagues and which departments they run. The key position is that of chancellor, it would send the wrong signal if Ed Miliband, was to be put in charge of the Tresuary. Many in business and the City of London - don’t think that would be a promising start. I would put Yvette Cooper, there as she has a good knowledge of economics and would be a safe pair of hands. I would put Wes Streeting, in the Foreign Office as he has good diplomatic skills. I would keep Shabana Mahmood in the Home Office. That would mean two top positions in government are held by women. Let’s hope this is the last change of prime minister for some years to come. We need stability and an end to this - merry go round. I think much of this instability goes back to 2016 and the Brexit referendum - that was our national breakdown - it will 10 years tomorrow that this cataclysmic decision was made. We have been suffering from PTSD ever since. 

A Long Walk to Freedom.

 On Channel 4 last night there was the first part in a three part series entitled: Free Nelson Mandela. It’s well worth watching, if you want to understand the history of South Africa and the - struggle for democracy and freedom. This was the name of the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, that was published in 1994 about the historic struggle of the antiapartheid movement in South Africa. Mandela was imprisoned for life on Robben Island in June 1964 and spent 27 years in various prisons. I remember reading his book about the time he was incarcerated and he said there was was one line in Julius Caesar by Shakespeare - where Caesar says ‘cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once’. These few words sustained Mandela - to survive the ordeal of suffering - for the cause of freedom. Of course the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa in March 1960 where 60 innocent demonstrators were killed and where many more were injured - caused international condemnation. Another well known activist was Peter Hain, now Lord Hain. He was from South Africa and his family played an important role in the freedom movement. They had to leave the country in March 1966 for London because of the regime there. Now 76 he is still active in politics as a member of the House of Lords,  

Jon Snow.

 On Channel Four last night there was a poignant programme, about the well known journalist Jon Snow, entitled A Last Big Story. During the show he revealed that he had early onset of Dementia. He stood down as the main anchor person on Channel Four News at the end of 2021. Before that, I had noticed - how occasionally he would, misspeak and fluff his words.. The soul of the programme was about the major environmental pollution of the Zambezi river in April-May 2018. Snow brought this tragic incident to public attention, both in Africa and across the world. The polluter was a major Chinese company. Watching how Jon Snow, struggled with his words and concentration, was deeply sad and poignant. He lives in Swiss Cottage in north London with his wife. 

As the maverick politician Enoch Powell, famously said in 1977 ‘all political lives end in failure’.

 On the Laura Kuenssberg programme this morning on BBC One, we had the cabinet minister Peter Kyle, a close friend of the prime minister - giving a robust defence of his boss, Keir Starmer. Nevertheless he conceded that the prime minister was reflecting on the ‘political realities’. This was a coded message that the game was up. It’s now anticipated Keir Starmer, will set out a timeline for his departure from Downing Street and very probably by the September Labour Party conference. This will give time for a proper discussion about values and vision for the country. Hopefully there will be others like Wes Streeting to - put in a bid for the leadership. As we reflect on the premiership of the prime minister, the famous words of Enoch Powell MP (1912-1998) - couldn’t be more apposite ‘all political lives end in failure’. 

A week in politics is a long time.

 This phrase was attributed to the Labour leader and prime minister Harold Wilson in 1964. As the prime minister wakes up this morning, his support is draining away very quickly. Staying in the Downing Street bunker, isn’t an option after the dramatic change in Makerfield. It’s now only a matter of time before the prime minister packs his suitcase and leaves. His wife Victoria and children will be central in this decision. They don’t have a - dog in this fight and only want the best for him . In my opinion he should set out a timeline for his exit from power and without too much delay. Perhaps by the party conference at the end of September? In the interregnum - there should be a competition by the leading candidates, that would also include Wes Streeting and any other candidates as well as Andy Burnham. It’s important that there isn’t a - coronation of Burnham. We should have a proper debate about the direction of government and the values that underpins it. We can then see what sort of government the new leader would command. However are we assuming too many things about Burnham? He may not be the messiah, many in the Labour Party and country hope for. Be careful - what  you wish for. We thought Boris Johnson, was the answer and look how that turned out? 

Who will be the next mayor of Manchester?

 Andy Burnham has to now resign as the mayor of Manchester. He cannot hold the position as mayor and also be an MP. This will be the next battleground and has to take place within 35 days. It will be an interesting competition. Will the Labour Party again achieve success or will another party take over for example the Conservatives or Reform? Andy Burnham now starts his journey south and we will be sworn in as the member of Parliament on Monday. Now a battle royal begins for the soul of the labour party and can Burnham - be more radical than the supine Keir Starmer? We need a radical change of direction and hopefully - he can provide this by bringing some of his Manchester flair and panache to government. 

A decisive victory.

 Andy Burnham, achieved a decisive victory in Makerfield. He had 55 per cent of the vote and a majority of over 9,000. Coming second was the Reform Party. The scale of this success, puts him now in a strong position to challenge the prime minister. Will Keir Starmer, see the writing on the wall and accept the fact that he is a - dead man walking? Having a seamless transition would be good for the country and the - bond markets as they don’t like uncertainty. Having said this, it’s important to have an in depth discussion about the values and vision for the country over the next three years, before the next general election. I would like to see Wes Streeting as chancellor, John Healey return to defence, Yvette Cooper, moved out of the foreign office and Ed Miliband put in to replace her as she a - weak link there. She should replace him at the Energy department, the homes secretary Shabana Mahmood, keeping her job, as she is doing rather well.  So let’s hope - this is a turning point in this miserable and vacuous government. As chairman Mao famously said ‘a journey of a 1,000 miles, begins with a single step’.