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Author Topic: Andy Burnham - Prime Minister with a strong transport reputation  (Read 11269 times)
grahame
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« on: June 19, 2026, 05:28:48 »

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 (United Kingdom) 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?
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« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2026, 07:25:48 »

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 (United Kingdom) 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?

Difficult to know how he sees more rural Britain, he was born near Liverpool, grew up in Culcheth (a village north east across motorway from Warrington), attended school in Newton-le-Willows, went to Cambridge University.   So most of his first 20 years was in smaller towns rather than busy urban areas.

But seems he understands the other metro mayors, so might be more sympathetic to Bristol, and apparently isn't a great fan of London centric policies.  So I think it will be case of wait and see.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2026, 06:55:02 »

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/
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ChrisB
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« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2026, 20:49:22 »

I understad that Louise Haig is helping to run his campaign....far better transport secretary IMV ('in my view')
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JayMac
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« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2026, 21:46:27 »

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.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2026, 08:12:37 »

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.

I'm sure the Civil Service with help from Ministers of State can cope for a couple of weeks - although perhaps I am being naive in suggesting that modern politicians understand the concept of acting honourably.

Incidentally the "modern tory way" much criticised by Labour, was having "coronations" of new PMs without seeking legitimacy via a General Election.................that (very recent) position/criticism seems to have been conveniently forgotten this time around!  Smiley
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Bob_Blakey
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« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2026, 08:46:53 »

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.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2026, 09:48:43 »

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.

Looks like we're going to find out quite soon!
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2026, 12:39:35 »

We've now found out.  Wink

Andy Burnham, ex-Mayor of Greater Manchester, now back in Parliament as MP (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) for Makerfield and apparently soon to be our new Prime Minister, has some previous for lecturing offering guidance to other Mayors about how they should run their public transport.

See https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=25181.msg373441#msg373441
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2026, 17:01:31 »

As Mayor he was quite into devolution for the English regions. Moving funding and policy away from the centre which would probably be good for some areas. I suspect though once he's in power that will all be quietly forgotten as it means given up control.

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REVUpminster
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« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2026, 15:09:02 »

Andy Burnham's coup, if he succeeds, isn't without precedent. When labour came to power in London in May 1981 there was an overnight coup and Ken Livingston became mayor. It herald more than 30 years of transport policy when successive mayors, tory and labour, gave pensioners more and more to become the envy of everyone else. In Torbay it is still Buses only from 0930hrs Mon-Fri.
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grahame
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« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2026, 15:42:56 »

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

And any time Saturdays and Sundays?
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REVUpminster
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« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2026, 19:12:05 »

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

And any time Saturdays and Sundays?
True. and we can use our bus pass anytime in London, bus only.
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« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2026, 20:46:50 »

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

And any time Saturdays and Sundays?

In the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead senior / mobility impaired citizen buss passed can be used at anytime on bus services that are deemed "Borough Bus" another bus services and busses elsewhere in the country are off peak
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #14 on: June 25, 2026, 22:18:05 »

An update, from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Quote
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 (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) 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)

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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