A Blairite , a Brownite and a Corbynite walk into a bar. The barman says, ‘Hello, Andy’. This well trodden joke illustrates the fact that Andy Burnham has no settled principles other than a burning ambition to become prime minister. In his latest incarnation as the apostle of soft left business friendly socialism, otherwise known as Manchesterism, he has advocated rejoining the EU, proportional representation and transgender rights. But since being adopted as the candidate for Makerfield, a working class constituency which voted for Brexit, he has rowed back on all three positions. If he ever becomes prime minister, he will be a second Starmer, reneging on all the policies he previously advocated once confronted with the realities of high office.
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