Andy Burnham joins the growing number of people calling for an early general election “to restore some sanity to British politics”.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester says he believes the Conservative Party is in “chaos”.
After former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked by Prime Minister Liz Truss last Friday, and Jeremy Hunt was promptly appointed to the position just after, Mr Burnham made an appearance on Good Morning Britain ahead of the new Chancellor’s first fiscal address, where he described the number of different Chancellor’s in the last five years “an unbelievable state of affairs”.
The Mayor claimed the Conservatives had given up the right to govern, and that the party is rapidly “disintegrating” as the days go on.
When asked by GMB presenter Richard Madeley if he believes that Labour taking the reins would seem strange after the Conservatives had been in power for so long, Mr Burnham denied that would be the case, saying “not at all”.
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He said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has “made the case for a Labour government” at the party’s recent conference.
'I think they have given up the right to govern. And I think we should actually start looking at an early general election.' – Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham pic.twitter.com/ef4e6I2gha
“He set out his stall, he did so very effectively at the Labour Conference, basically the Conservative party has been disintegrating,” Mr Burnham said in response.
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“It needs to look itself in the mirror today and ask itself whether it has actually got what it takes to govern this country.
“I am at Greater Manchester Green summit today and I was just working out that we have had six chancellors of the exchequer in the five years we have been holding these summits. It is an unbelievable state of affairs, I think they have given up the right to govern such is the chaos they are in, and we should actually start looking to an early general election to restore some sanity to British politics.
“Keir Starmer is clearly the person that is bringing that.”
Mr Burnham’s suggestions for a change in leader come as Prime Minister Liz Truss is facing increasing calls to step down from the role, and also come after a petition demanding an “immediate general election” had surpassed 100,000 signatures, and was set to be debated in Parliament.
The petition said that the public should be able to “decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK”.
Featured Image – Flickr
News
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Emily Sergeant -
18th October 2022 
