Burnham's Honeymoon May Be Short

While Andy Burnham appears destined for Downing Street, Badenoch's team believes his problems are only beginning.

They argue the former Greater Manchester mayor lacks deep relationships with many Labour MPs and will struggle to unite a parliamentary party already fractured by its removal of Starmer.

Conservatives also believe Burnham faces immediate pressure over appointments, taxation and spending plans.

One shadow minister said: "He's inheriting a party that's just assassinated its own Prime Minister. Those divisions don't disappear overnight."

Reform Under Pressure

Perhaps most significantly, Badenoch's advisers believe Nigel Farage is no longer politically untouchable.

The aftermath of Reform's defeat in Makerfield has exposed vulnerabilities the Conservatives believe they can exploit.

Farage endured a difficult series of interviews this week over questions surrounding a £5 million donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Instead of brushing off criticism as he often has in the past, the Reform leader appeared defensive and irritated.

Conservatives seized on the performance.

"He looked rattled," one adviser said. "For the first time in a long time, he looked like a politician with something to answer for."

A Rare Tory Opportunity

Badenoch remains a long way from Downing Street. The Conservatives still trail heavily in many opinion polls and face enormous challenges rebuilding trust after their years in government.

But inside Tory headquarters there is growing confidence that the political landscape is shifting.

Starmer is gone.

Labour is consumed by a leadership transition.

Farage is facing tougher scrutiny.

And Badenoch believes she has finally found her opening.

For a politician whose first priority was simply survival, that represents a remarkable change in fortunes.

SOURCE

A three way split in the reactionary rightwing vote is not at all a bad thing.

35 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

A three way split in the reactionary rightwing vote is not at all a bad thing.

As usual wrong again it's 4🤔

the man