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Category: Andy Burnham

  • Andy Burnham Declines to Call Israel’s Mass Killings in Gaza a Genocide

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    https://novaramedia.com/2026/06/05/andy-burnham-declines-to-call-israels-mass-killings-in-gaza-a-genocide/

    Temilade Adelaja/Reuters

    ‘I can’t judge things of that enormity.’

    Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham has refused to call the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza a genocide.

    Asked about the violence in an interview with the Guardian, he said: “I can’t judge things of that enormity from where I am as mayor of Greater Manchester.”

    He added: “But I do have concerns about the disproportionate nature of what has happened in terms of the destruction, and there has to be a full process of investigation and accountability.”

    The world-leading International Association of Genocide Scholars last year declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

    ​Israel has killed at least 72,000 Palestinians there since 7 October 2023 and experts  quoted by the BMJ say the actual toll is far higher.

    Burnham became a member of Labour Friends of Israel in 2015 and during a Labour leadership bid the same year described the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel as “spiteful”.

    He also promised to make Israel his first state visit if he won – calling the country a “democracy that has a long history of protecting minorities and promoting civil rights”.

    …

    https://novaramedia.com/2026/06/05/andy-burnham-declines-to-call-israels-mass-killings-in-gaza-a-genocide/

    Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
    Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
    Vote Labour for Genocide.
    Vote Labour for Genocide.

  • By-election in Makerfield

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    https://www.loonyparty.com/4717/9491/forthcoming-by-election-in-makerfield

    We can confirm that our glorious leader Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope with selected agents will be standing against Andy Burnham in the forthcoming election in Makerfield. We can also confirm that there is no intention to launch a leadership bid to replace our leader. We can also confirm that we will be making every effort to win this seat and will be throwing everything at it. This election has come about so that Andy Burnham will be eligible to mount a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer. However with the help of the voters in Makerfield we can cause a major upset in Labour’s plans.

    Lets be honest, this election has nothing to do with the aspirations of the voters. They are being used as  pawns to change the Labour leadership, not to raise issues of importance to the constituents of Makerfield.

    Josh Simmons said in his election speech ‘I will be your MP, your voice, and your advocate. My door will always be open. Tonight is the beginning of a mission’.

    He didn’t say ‘except if someone else comes along who needs my seat.’

    Not to mention the people of Manchester who now will need a new mayor, so this exercise in ‘Game of Thrones’ will cost the people of Manchester and Makerfield a lot of upset. . watch this space!!

    https://www.loonyparty.com/4717/9491/forthcoming-by-election-in-makerfield

    This blog is considering supporting Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope, Monster Raving Loony Party as candidate for the Makerfield by-election.

  • Greens select nurse and ‘committed local campaigner’ as Makerfield byelection candidate

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    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/21/greens-select-nurse-chris-kennedy-makerfield-byelection-candidate

    Chris Kennedy was chosen to stand for the Makerfield byelection after a Green party hustings. Photograph: @chris_green_party

    Chris Kennedy chosen amid reports Greens do not want to be blamed for splitting progressive vote and allowing Reform to win

    The Green party has chosen “a committed local campaigner” as its candidate in the Makerfield byelection on 18 June.

    Chris Kennedy, a nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, was chosen after a hustings on Wednesday amid reports that the party was proposing to hold back from investing significant resources in the byelection.

    The Financial Times reported that party members were wary of being blamed for splitting the progressive vote and allowing Reform to win. Because of that, senior party figures wanted to help clear the path for Labour’s Andy Burnham.

    One senior party figure told the FT: “We do not want this one to go to Reform, and to be quite frank, we do not want Labour to turn around and say, ‘If you vote Green, you’re actually voting Reform’, because that will be used for the next three years.”

    …

    Continues at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/21/greens-select-nurse-chris-kennedy-makerfield-byelection-candidate

  • Labour keeps knocking. The planet keeps burning. Don’t open the door.

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    Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
    Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.

    Roger Hallam comments on the Greens indecision on how to oppose Andy Burnham at the Makerfield by-election.

    You may have noticed that I am supportive of the Green Party and Zack Polanski. Despite seriously considering joining the Green Party, I have not yet done it and I might actually be a liability. I have also seriously considered joining Your Party but can’t see that happening now unfortunately. I probably won’t ever join a political party and expect that some of you can understand why.

    The question is to what extent should the Green Party oppose Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election. I agree with Roger Hallam that the Labour Party is finished and should be opposed without holding back. The concern is that Greens actions could facilitate a Reform win. I raise three points:

    Firstly, it is the Labour Party insisting that Andy Burnham fights and wins an election to participate in a leadership challenge. It is Labour Party rules and the Labour Party NEC can change those rules if it was so minded.

    Secondly, so what if Burnham loses to Reform? it has been clear for years that Starmer & Co’s preferred successor is Wes Streeting. There is no certainty that Andy Burnham will defeat Streeting in a leadership contest and there are suggestions of dirty tricks already. A Reform win is instead of a win for Reform in a red rosette. So what if Burnham doesn’t get to compete?

    Third, Reform’s position is precarious as is Labour’s, things can change drastically during an election campaign and Farage is already on the missing list. A strong campaign by the Green’s would show that they’re taking the fight to Reform and Labour, that they’re serious about gaining power.

    dizzy

    Vote Labour for Genocide.
    Vote Labour for Genocide.

  • Morning Star Editorial: Unison’s Andrea Egan speaks truth to power

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    https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/unisons-andrea-egan-speaks-truth-power

     Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool, September 30, 2025

    NEW Unison general secretary Andrea Egan has done a service to the entire labour movement. Barely a week in office, she has spelt out exactly what is wrong with the Starmer government, and what needs to change.

    We make no apology for quoting her words, written for Tribune, extensively. First the crisis: “The first far-right government in our history is a very real prospect. Nigel Farage in power would be the biggest triumph for the enemies of the working class since his idol Margaret Thatcher took office… 

    “It would be a global victory for a billionaire-backed ethnonationalist project represented by the administration of Donald Trump…for every worker, active trade unionist or anyone who wants to live in an open and democratic society, the political stakes of the coming months and years are potentially existential. We are staring down the barrel of a historically devastating offensive against our class.”

    Then, the blame: “From witnessing the recent behaviour of Labour’s ruling faction, you wouldn’t know it. Spearheaded from Downing Street, this narrow Westminster grouping often gives the impression it would rather hand the country over to Farage and put the labour movement’s survival on the line than consider any change in policy direction or lose the slightest control over the party machine.”

    Egan slams the “stitch-up” which blocked Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with the reasons offered “an insult to the intelligence.”

    Then the warning: “Trade unions will not tolerate this self-destructive approach any longer. The costs are simply too high, and it is our members — our whole movement — who will pay the price. 

    “Labour’s rotten internal culture is a significant cause of its failure to deliver for workers while in government, which in turn drives its historic unpopularity and lays the ground for the far right.

    …

    Original article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/unisons-andrea-egan-speaks-truth-power

    Nigel Farage blames the Muzzies.
    Nigel Farage blames the Muzzies.
    Keir Starmer confirms that his government is cnutier than Suella Braverman on killing the right to protest.
    Keir Starmer confirms that his government is cnutier than Suella Braverman on killing the right to protest.