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’.