Will the arrival into Parliament of Andy Burnham - who's done so much to flagship changes and developments of public transport in the Manchester area, and who's a Labour heavyweight make any difference indirectly to the government's direction and approaches to public transport - trains, buses, etc, in the south / west of England and South Wales? 

Manchester (for which Andy is famous) has a high population density (a.k.a. is largely urban).  Would he be inclined to make a difference in urban areas such as Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter or would his influence across the UK spread to areas which are described as "rural" but which are in practice a series of urban townships where most people live, separated from one another by a handful of miles of countryside?

Someone seems to be looking forward to a new regime.......one would have thought however that the more honourable course of action for her to take if she's lost faith in the Leader who appointed her would be to resign herself, as others have?

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/26212426.swindons-heidi-alexander-first-tell-starmer-go/

Surely its better to have some continuity in government departments during a leadership contest, rather than the modern tory way of mass resignations forcing out a stubborn incumbent. Although that might change if Sir Keir fights on. Which is looking unlikely judging by the 'off the record' statements filltering through media politcal correspondents.

The new leader can then decide on their top team.

Will the arrival into Parliament of Andy Burnham - who's done so much to flagship changes and developments of public transport in the Manchester area, and who's a Labour heavyweight make any difference indirectly to the government's direction and approaches to public transport - trains, buses, etc, in the south / west of England and South Wales?..... 

No.

.... In Torbay it is still Buses only from 0930hrs Mon-Fri.

And any time Saturdays and Sundays?

And any time Saturdays and Sundays?

Andy Burnham could be leader in weeks under Labour timetable

Labour's ruling body has set out the timetable for electing a new party leader which could see Sir Keir Starmer's replacement installed as early as 17 July.

The schedule means Andy Burnham could take over as prime minister from Sir Keir in less than a month, if he continues to be the only MP to enter the race.

Potential candidates have from 9 July to 15 July to collect the backing of 81 MPs and until 16 July to gather the required number of nominations from affiliated bodies such as trade unions, in order to stay in the contest.

If only one candidate meets that threshold, the new leader will be announced at a special Labour conference on 17 July, before being appointed PM by the King.

If more than one MP is able to garner enough support to progress to the next stage, a ballot of Labour party members and affiliated supporters would take place between 6 and 27 August.

Under that scenario, the final result would be announced on 29 August.

(BBC article continues)

Senior Labour figures say party is united behind Andy Burnham

The Labour Party is united behind Andy Burnham as its next leader, two senior party figures have told the BBC.

The party set out a timeline for a leadership contest following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation earlier this week, but there is scant evidence of support for any contenders other than Burnham.

Former defence minister Al Carns has said a speech on Monday, in which Burnham will set out his economic policy, will decide whether he challenges him for the Labour leadership.

Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who had stayed loyal to Sir Keir, both said that Labour MPs were backing a coronation of Burnham, rather than a contest.

Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, said that further devolution of powers to local areas would be a priority for Burnham's administration if he won the Labour leadership race. "He's got a really strong agenda about changing that," she said, adding that it was "something that, actually, was in our manifesto but we've really not realised in the scale and speed in which we should have. If we had more control over things like skills and local transportation we could better connect people to all those new job opportunities of the future."

Burnham is expected to give a closely watched speech in Manchester on Monday to outline his economic vision for the country, which will have a strong emphasis on devolution to drive growth and which could be key to winning over potential challengers such as Carns.

On Sunday, Badenoch said Burnham should set out his plans to Parliament in special one-day session before the summer recess, rather than in a speech to supporters on Monday as expected, if he becomes prime minister. She said: "Andy Burnham is days away from taking charge of the country and still has not told people the basics: Will he stick to the Labour manifesto? Will he borrow even more money? Will he fund the Defence Investment Plan so that our country is not at risk?"

She accused Sir Keir of entering No 10 without a plan, and said the country must not be forced to wait until Parliament returns in September to know the plan for the country. Badenoch added: "A speech full of warm words to a friendly crowd is not a substitute for speaking at the despatch box where MPs can question the substance of what he has said. "

A Labour party spokesperson responded by saying: "Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, has set out a clear timetable for the election of the next Leader of the Labour Party. While that process is ongoing, the Labour Government is getting on with the job of delivering the change the country voted for and tackling the cost of living. MPs are able to scrutinise the government in the normal way, as the public would expect."

Andy Burnham plans to work some days in Manchester as PM

Andy Burnham plans to spend some of his working week in Manchester if he becomes prime minister, the BBC has been told.

It is not clear whether he will spend a set number of days there, or whether there will be a more informal arrangement. But he plans to split his time between Downing Street and the North West, it is understood.

In his first speech since launching his Labour leadership bid, Burnham announced on Monday he would create a new "No 10 North" unit in Manchester if he replaces outgoing PM Sir Keir Starmer.

Burnham's allies hope his presence in the city would be a strong symbol of his commitment to devolve power away from Westminster.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester announced his intention to stand to replace Sir Keir last Monday, shortly after being elected as the MP for Makerfield.

So far, he is the only Labour MP to announce a leadership bid. If he remains the sole candidate, he could become the next prime minister as early as 20 July.

Past prime ministers, including Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, have spent some time away from London in their constituencies, but those around Burnham say his arrangements would be different to the norm.

If Burnham chose to not to make Downing Street his main home, he would become the first prime minister since Labour premier Harold Wilson not to reside primarily in the famous London building.

Wilson lived in No 10 during his first term in office between 1964 and 1970, but opted to live at Lord North Street, a short walk from Parliament, during his second premiership between 1974 and 1976.

(BBC article continues)

From the BBC:


Fair enough: Andy Burnham 'working from home' would limit his reliance on train services between Manchester and London - just for example.