Andy Burnham’s worryingly vague vision for Britain
Andy Burnham’s worryingly vague vision for Britain
Douglas Murray
-
Text size
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Compact
- Normal
- Spacious
- Comments
-
Share
Share
Douglas Murray
Andy Burnham’s worryingly vague vision for Britain
Once again the question occurs: “Why do they want it?” Keir Starmer held a very important role in the legal profession before entering parliament, but for some reason he desperately wanted to be even more political. As soon as he became an MP it was plain that he was so keen to get the top job that he was even willing to go through the Jeremy Corbyn period – immiserating his reputation and presumably himself by spending years having to pretend that Corbyn was a suitable candidate for prime minister. Serving in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet was not something that any decent person would do – leading some of us to conclude either that Starmer was not a decent person or that he had such a surfeit of ambition it didn’t matter because it was a means to an end.
Now that Starmer has reached that end, and indeed the end of that end, the question returns: why did he want it? Why do any of them want it?
Before he became prime minister, David Cameron was reportedly asked why he wanted the top job. His reply: “Because I’d be good at it.” Which was certainly an arrogant reason, but one not entirely without merit. If Cameron was vaguely visionless he was also at least vaguely competent. But what of all those who have followed him? Why did Theresa May want to be prime minister? She had a torrid task to perform – delivering a Brexit she didn’t believe in – and utterly failed at her task. So what was she there for? Why all the torture and intrigue to get the top job? To do what?
He’ll glide into No. 10 as Starmer did, without any interrogation over what he plans to do with the prize he seeks
Boris Johnson seems to have had a sense of destiny of some kind – albeit a Churchillian sense as related by P.G. Wodehouse. Once the Ukraine conflict started you could see that he thought he had found his moment of meaning. But in the end he fell for silly reasons. Perhaps because in the first and final analysis he was always a person in whom silliness would out.
We can pass over the peculiar case of Liz Truss. But Rishi Sunak brought the old thought to mind. He was not a bad chancellor, and he seemed to be a good man. But why did he think he should be prime minister? What were the qualities and the mission that he saw in himself? What was the deep urge of course-correction for the country that he imagined he alone would be able to deliver?
The same goes for Starmer. Why did he spend all those years machinating his way into parliament and the shadow cabinet to become leader of the opposition and then prime minister? The “achievements” he listed in front of No. 10 during his resignation speech were as paltry as those of Sunak, Johnson, Truss and May before him.
Which brings me to Andy Burnham. It seems that he will glide into No. 10 as Starmer did, without any real interrogation from the media over what he plans to do with the prize he seeks. So why is he doing it? At least he had the decency to sit out the Corbyn years in Manchester. But now he has managed to come back to parliament, and presumably seize the leadership of the Labour party, the following questions must be asked with some urgency. Why does he want to be prime minister? And what does he intend to do with the prize?
Most popular
Geoff Hill
South Africa now has its answer to ICE
Anastasia Brown
Why Jack Schlossberg lostJohn Fund
The rise and rise of America’s radical leftOne reason why we have got here is that we have allowed our politicians to speak in such generalities for a long time. Our media seems to be content to receive answers from them along the lines of: “I want a fairer, kinder Britain.” But what do such words mean? Dig beneath the generalities that a Starmer or a Burnham will utter and they flounder.
With his animalistic, savannah-like instinct, Donald Trump put his finger on this weakness, not least by pointing to some of the deep problems Britain faces.
The President’s comments on Starmer pointed to several of the issues that the Labour government failed to address. One of Trump’s personal bugbears is why the British government imagines it is going to lead the world by example in achieving net zero and shut down all exploration and extraction in the North Sea. Why does Britain buy oil and gas from Norway when Norway is plumbing precisely the same reserves?
An ambition to make Britain rich would be a noble endeavor – the sort of thing that would justify someone roaring to political power. But that doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s agenda. A little bit of tinkering around social-media rules seems to be the most our politicians aspire to.
Addressing the suppurating and growing societal sores caused by mass immigration would be a noble thing to do with power. But even Nigel Farage has balked at the measures necessary to get expensive, unemployed illegal migrants out of Britain.
Bringing down the welfare bill and getting the scandalously high number of unemployed off benefits and back into work would be a task worthy of an ambitious person. But for that there needs to be some grit. And there needs to be a desire to tell the country that “fairness” and “kindness” apply to everyone – not just the people who complain loudest. For instance, it would be nice if someone explained how they propose to make the tax burden fair or kind for people who pay their taxes and get next to nothing in return – other than being demonized by left-wing campaigners who pretend that the people who actually pay their taxes should just pay more.
It is often said that the one thing that unites all 650 members of the House of Commons is the glimmer of hope that one day the country will call for them. By now enough MPs have had a crack at the top job that perhaps we should ask: “If you think the nation is calling – what exactly makes you think you are the person to answer?”
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
