9 minutes ago, athywhite1958 said:

unelected PM,

I take it you were equally outraged with the Conservatives when they did it several times this decade and last, and when Gordon Brown replaced Blair?

Edited August 9Aug 9 by jmjhb

7 minutes ago, athywhite1958 said:

So, Andy Burnham gets his mate to stand down as an MP giving him pretty much free reign to win the seat so that he could run for, and become the unelected PM, he then gives his mate, the one who stepped down (for reasons unknown) a role in his government and doubled his wages, me being a thick owd racist see that as corrupt.

The bloke was never going to step aside for no reason, anybody who didn't think he'd be looked after needs their bumps feeling. I'm sure in the next GE, he'll also be found a pretty safe seat to contest

42 minutes ago, athywhite1958 said:

So, Andy Burnham gets his mate to stand down as an MP giving him pretty much free reign to win the seat so that he could run for, and become the unelected PM, he then gives his mate, the one who stepped down (for reasons unknown) a role in his government and doubled his wages, me being a thick owd racist see that as corrupt.

You only just started paying attention to politics???

This has happened loads down the years and is perfectly legitimate.

12 minutes ago, Spider said:

You only just started paying attention to politics???

This has happened loads down the years and is perfectly legitimate.

He's "not interested in politics", but he started watching GBNews a few months ago.

Edited August 9Aug 9 by Cheese

1 hour ago, jmjhb said:

I take it you were equally outraged with the Conservatives when they did it several times this decade and last, and when Gordon Brown replaced Blair?

Who said I'm outraged? and yes it was as wrong for the Tories as it is now, but, the Tories didn't need anyone to step down as a local MP

30 minutes ago, Cheese said:

He's "not intertested in politics", but he started watching GBNews a few months ago.

Cheese you boring little shit making things up again, and I will comment on any thread I want to whether I am interested or not, that ok with you

1 hour ago, Sweep said:

The bloke was never going to step aside for no reason, anybody who didn't think he'd be looked after needs their bumps feeling. I'm sure in the next GE, he'll also be found a pretty safe seat to contest

The reason is very apparent, does that sit right with you, it doesn't with me

48 minutes ago, Spider said:

You only just started paying attention to politics???

This has happened loads down the years and is perfectly legitimate.

I've looked at it down the years but never took an interest (contrary to what the argumentative lying Firthy says) politicians are all cunts. IMO

5 minutes ago, athywhite1958 said:

Cheese you boring little shit making things up again, and I will comment on any thread I want to whether I am interested or not, that ok with you

Not sure why you're asking for my permission, but it's fine by me Grandad. Post whatever you want wherever you want.

8 minutes ago, athywhite1958 said:

The reason is very apparent, does that sit right with you, it doesn't with me

That's one way of looking at it I suppose. But you could also argue that the guy who stepped down so that Burnham would run is a supporter of his values and his ideology - and felt that by stepping aside he could do something meaningful for the country.

1 hour ago, athywhite1958 said:

I've looked at it down the years but never took an interest (contrary to what the argumentative lying Firthy says) politicians are all cunts. IMO

What do you think about Nigel Farage stepping down then immediately standing as a candidate in Clacton?

Should that be allowed?

2 hours ago, athywhite1958 said:

The reason is very apparent, does that sit right with you, it doesn't with me

I'm not bothered either way, they're pretty much all corrupt in one way or another. I also don't know anything about the bloke, he may be the best person for the new job he's got, I really don't know.

I wondered at the time, why any sitting MP would offer up their seat for no reason....seems we now know the reason.

As ever, nothing much will happen.

2 hours ago, kent_white said:

That's one way of looking at it I suppose. But you could also argue that the guy who stepped down so that Burnham would run is a supporter of his values and his ideology - and felt that by stepping aside he could do something meaningful for the country.

Indeed, and this job is a reward for doing something for the country.

Apparently "rewards" shouldn't be questioned.....

3 hours ago, Spider said:

What do you think about Nigel Farage stepping down then immediately standing as a candidate in Clacton?

Should that be allowed?

For a start, I don't like Farage, he is as dodgy as they come, what he's done in Clacton has made him look a fool, as for it being allowed it seems like it is

2 hours ago, Sweep said:

I'm not bothered either way, they're pretty much all corrupt in one way or another. I also don't know anything about the bloke, he may be the best person for the new job he's got, I really don't know.

I wondered at the time, why any sitting MP would offer up their seat for no reason....seems we now know the reason.

As ever, nothing much will happen.

I agree except the 'best person for the new job' bit

3 hours ago, Sweep said:

Indeed, and this job is a reward for doing something for the country.

Apparently "rewards" shouldn't be questioned.....

What is the job he's been given exactly?

I imagine it's bloody hard work and not a grace and favour type position?

1 hour ago, kent_white said:

What is the job he's been given exactly?

I imagine it's bloody hard work and not a grace and favour type position?

I'm not sure to be honest, Athy above saying it's in Government, and double an MP salary, so touching £198K which isn't bad. I've looked, and can't see what it is he's been given... As I said, he might be the best person for the job, whatever it is.....I really don't know.

I'm sure though, that he'll have been told that he'd get something if he stepped aside, I don't think it's unreasonable for him to expect it either to be honest, why else give up a fairly safe seat

9 hours ago, athywhite1958 said:

So, Andy Burnham gets his mate to stand down as an MP giving him pretty much free reign to win the seat so that he could run for, and become the unelected PM, he then gives his mate, the one who stepped down (for reasons unknown) a role in his government and doubled his wages, me being a thick owd racist see that as corrupt.

I don't think Josh Simons has actually been offered any job yet and the possible salaries mentioned of £110k to £180k are just rumours.

I might be wrong, but as the PM is on £175k, I really can't see his adviser being on more.

He went to Cambridge and held a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard. Not sure I have a problem if he's found a role in government.

10 hours ago, athywhite1958 said:

So, Andy Burnham gets his mate to stand down as an MP giving him pretty much free reign to win the seat so that he could run for, and become the unelected PM, he then gives his mate, the one who stepped down (for reasons unknown) a role in his government and doubled his wages, me being a thick owd racist see that as corrupt.

You might want to look up Charlotte Owen if you want to talk about corruption.

Edited August 9Aug 9 by Ani

3 minutes ago, Ani said:

You might want to look up Charlotte Owen if you want to talk about corruption.

Baroness Owen? Nothing to see there, perfectly routine... ;-)

1 hour ago, Traf said:

So, Andy Burnham gets his mate to stand down as an MP giving him pretty much free reign to win the seat so that he could run for, and become the unelected PM, he then gives his mate, the one who stepped down (for reasons unknown) a role in his government and doubled his wages, me being a thick owd racist see that as corrupt.

I don't know where you got your information from but Simons publicly stated at the time he stood down that he had not been offered any job for standing down...

Simons said he had not been promised any new job.

"There's some mad chat going around that I'm running for mayor of Manchester now, but I can tell you live right now, I'm not doing that," he said.

"The first thing I'm going to do is spend some time with my three-week-old son.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind since he was born, and now this. I'm going to spend some time with my wife and my three kids and my newborn son".

This was what he said were his reasons for standing down...

Simons said: "It was a decision I took with my wife. We decided as a family.

"We've been speaking about this for a few days. It's been incredibly fast, if I'm honest.

He added: "We were heading for a leadership election with the Labour Party split into different factions, and there was no hope, no energy that anything would change…"

He said that Makerfield was "where Andy Burnham has lived for 25 years" and that he was "coming home".

"Labour needs to change and the whole government needs to change," he said.

Josh Simons explains why he stood down to make way for Andy Burnham' - BBC News

As for what the potential job he's been apparently offered, it can't be anything to do with holding any political role in the Government - you need to be an elected MP in order to hold office (although he could be made a Lord and brought in to political office by that means).

He could work to Burnham in a role as a Special Advisor (Spad) which is seen as a temporary civil service position which are paid by the public purse these being the current pay rates for them...

Pay Band 1 Junior Special Adviser - £47,525 to £57,459

Pay Band 2 Special Adviser - £64,850 to £91,067

Pay Band 3 Senior Special Adviser - £81,650 to £119,254

Pay Band 4 Special Adviser Leadership - £112,100 to £160,000

Annual Report on Special Advisers 2026

Don't know if you ever saw the TV programme The Thick of It, which is about Government Special Advisors - I know it probably sounds as boring as fuck but it is really funny (a sort of rude version of Yes Minister).

If anyone is interested you can watch it for free on BBC iPlayer - I do recommend it.

(Don't let my recommendation put you off either).

The Thick of It - BBC iPlayer

You've quoted me, but they're not my words.

8 hours ago, Traf said:

Baroness Owen? Nothing to see there, perfectly routine... ;-)

Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge to use her full title, but I’ve never seen her out in AE at weekends when she isn’t sat in the HoL

9 hours ago, Traf said:

I don't think Josh Simons has actually been offered any job yet and the possible salaries mentioned of £110k to £180k are just rumours.

I might be wrong, but as the PM is on £175k, I really can't see his adviser being on more.

Other than that - it's outrageous