After winning Makerfield by-election Andy has a cunning plan - Vladimir McTavish
Although late-night news was dominated by the World Cup on Thursday, most TV viewers will have heard that Andy Burnham easily won the Makerfield by-election.
Returning him to parliament in Westminster and the probability of a leadership challenge to the Prime Minister, a long road still lies ahead
In truth, a long road also lies behind. He’s already had to clear a number of hurdles. First, he had to persuade the sitting MP Josh Simons to give up his job and salary of £98,500, to clear the way for him. I wonder how that initial conversation went.
“Hey, Josh, it’s Andy. Fancy giving up your job, so I can have a wild fling at becoming prime minister?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Andy. I’ve only been in the job two years. I like it and the money’s good. Nearly 100k a year.”
“Yeah, but think of the favour you’d be doing The Party. I’d be a much better leader than boring Keir. And the country. I’d wipe the floor with his record as PM. Shall we shake on it? Good man.”
Now he is in Westminster, Burnham will need the support of 81 Labour MP’s, so first job will be making 81 phone calls. I think we know roughly how they will go.
“Hi, it’s Andy. Yeah, Andy Burnham, used to be Mayor of Manchester. Have you not been watching the news?
"Yeah, cracking second half. I think Bellingham took his goal well. Anyway, do you fancy supporting me to challenge Starmer? Just think of the favour you’d be doing The Party. I’d be a much better leader than boring Keir. And the country. I’d wipe the floor with his record as PM. Shall we shake on it?”
Once he gets that support, there is bound to be an election for the heart and soul of both the The Labour Party and the UK. He’s likely to be up against the totally charisma-free PM and Wes Streeting, who looks like an off-duty vicar and sounds like a Tory.
If he can’t win that, God help us all.