Andy Burnham is turning into Councillor Cock-up – a Manchester mayor promoted far beyond his ability

3 comments 3 Next OUR Prime Minister is turning into Councillor Cock-up – instinctively parochial and permanently prone to gaffes. It beggars belief that Andy Burnham blurted out that it would be a “terrible loss” if Manchester City’s mega-rich owners were kicked out of football . Advertisement Advertisement 10 Andy Burnham is a local councillor who has been promoted far, far beyond his ability – and way out of his comfort zone Credit: AP 10 Andy Burnham says Manchester City’s owners being kicked out would be a ‘terrible loss’ — but if they’re found guilty of financial fraud, wouldn’t it be bloody good riddance? Credit: AFP What — even if they are guilty of financial fraud, Prime Minister? Even if the ultimate legal verdict is that City’s owners have left a stain on our national game that will be there for generations? Would it really be “a terrible loss” — or bloody good riddance? Breaking news: You are no longer the Mayor of Manchester, Andy! You have been in 10 Downing Street (South) for three months. Stop talking as if your responsibilities end at Salford. Wake up and smell the jellied eels. You are in the big city now, our kid. You are in the ultimate seat of power , not a hospitality box at the Etihad. Advertisement Advertisement 10 A third runway at Heathrow — or not! — is a matter of national importance, but whenever it is brought up, Andy puts his fingers in his ears and whistles a selection of greatest hits by The Smiths Credit: Getty 10 ‘Does he ever get tired of putting his foot in his mouth?’ Kemi Badenoch wondered aloud at Wednesday’s PMQs Credit: PA Burnham struggles with the weight of being responsible for the entire country. Building a third runway at Heathrow — or not! — is a matter of national importance. But whenever the subject is brought up, Andy puts his fingers in his ears and whistles a selection of greatest hits by The Smiths. A third runway at Heathrow would turbo boost economic growth for the UK but it would involve demolishing hundreds of homes , diverting rivers and rerouting a section of the M25 motorway. Hard calls have to be made. Yet Andy Burnham seriously suggests “it’s a matter for London and London MPs”. No, it is not, Andy. A third runway at Heathrow is a subject of national significance. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom should at least have an OPINION . Burnham still acts — and thinks — as if he is pootling about in his cosy Manchester neck of the woods. Advertisement There is a breathtaking naivety about the man. “Does he ever get tired of putting his foot in his mouth?” Kemi Badenoch wondered aloud at Wednesday’s PMQs . The Tory leader was referring to Burnham’s claim on The Rest Is Politics Podcast that Russia had successfully interfered in the result of the 2016 referendum on our membership of the European Union . Overly garrulous in the company of some pro-Brussels chums, Burnham stated: “I asked the question coming into Downing Street, ‘Well, was there interference in the 2016 referendum from Russia?’ I’ve had the clear answer that, ‘Yes, there was.’” But Burnham’s shocking allegation was immediately refuted by Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5 . “I am anxious we don’t play into our adversaries’ hands by making these trolls look 10 ft tall,” sniffed the head of the secret service. “That is not our experience.” Meaning, Russian bots may have been furiously tapping away at their little keyboards. But the British ­people made up their own minds. Burnham did what he always does — he backtracked, grovelled, and was sorry that he had ever opened his stupid cakehole. I suggest that if anyone thinks that Russia swung the Brexit vote, then they know absolutely nothing about the British people, especially the working class. Burnham is so naive that he apparently believed he could easily shut down all debate about his relationship with Manchester City’s Middle East money men during his tenure as Manchester Mayor. A vague statement was released on Monday saying Burnham had been treated to two dinners with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in 2017 and 2018, which had been deleted from the public record. By the end of the week, Burnham had ordered a wider probe into his relationship with Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi masters. Advertisement Burnham’s gullibility sometimes works in his favour. His idle musings about the UK rejoining the European Union have caused widespread euphoria on the left. Even though there are two obvious reasons why rejoining is impossible. The EU can never trust the UK not to flounce out again ten years down the line. And the British will never give up the Pound sterling . At first, Burnham’s talk of rejoining the EU seemed like a strategic masterstroke — a way of uniting the Left without actually doing anything. But after his vacuous chatter about Russia stealing Brexit, Burnham’s blather about rejoining sounds like the empty musings of someone who does not have a clue what he is talking about. Burnham is a local councillor who has been promoted far, far beyond his ability. And way out of his comfort zone. You should have stayed in Manchester, chuck. Time for Trump to send in The Sweeney 10 Katie Zacharia, a former Fox news presenter, replaced Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary Credit: EPA Advertisement 10 Karoline Leavitt was always a slick on-MAGA-message public speaker, but in her first day on the job, Katie Zacharia was clearly flustered Credit: AP AS Donald Trump’s presidency grows ever more grim – how can the leader of the free world side with Russia in its war against Ukraine ? – his MAGA minions grow ever more glamorous. Katie Zacharia, a former Fox news presenter, replaced Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary. Katie’s delivery of the MAGA message was considerably more laboured than Karoline’s. Her debut as White House press secretary was widely considered a disaster. 10 At this rate by the end of Trump’s toxic second term, the White House press secretary will be Sydney Sweeney Credit: AP Trump asked her to “reconsider” taking the job and she has now left. Karoline Leavitt was always a slick on-MAGA-message public speaker. But in her first day on the job, Katie Zacharia was clearly flustered. She struggled to read a prepared script, only took three questions from journalists and mixed up the President and her husband in one of her answers. But there is no denying that Katie Zacharia dialled up the Trumpian glam factor. In the Maga universe, blondes don’t just have more fun – they get all the top jobs . Until they get sacked: the Donald has already removed the Press Secretary they called The Zachbot from the job. I wonder if Sydney Sweeney is available? Advertisement RJ HAD GIANT ROLE 10 RJ Mitte was a brilliant actor and disability advocate who challenged attitudes, moved audiences to laughter and tears, and played the cards life dealt him so brilliantly that he will never be forgotten Credit: Getty “YOU make the best of the cards you are dealt,” said RJ Mitte, who has tragically taken his own life at the age of 34 . The Breaking Bad actor was talking about being 11 years old and becoming his family’s prime carer when his single mother broke her spine in a car crash, shortly after giving birth to his baby sister. Mitte was talking about his childhood. But he could have been talking about his entire life. Born with cerebral palsy, Mitte played Walter White’s disabled son in Breaking Bad, quite possibly the greatest TV drama of all time (only The Sopranos comes even close). RJ had been a working actor from the age of 12. He was 14 when he landed the part of Walter White Junior. It was the role of a lifetime. As Junior’s terminally ill father evolves from science teacher to drug baron to provide for his family, over the course of five series we watched this lovely lad grow up before our eyes. Advertisement RJ Mitte’s character has all the troubles of every teenager – and some that were his own. Just by playing the role of Walter White’s son, Mitte changed attitudes to disability . No TV series has ever had a disabled character in such a prominent role. It was groundbreaking, astounding, unforgettable. In the days after his heartbreaking suicide, I have seen RJ Mitte described as the soul of Breaking Bad. Anyone who ever loved the series will agree with the sentiment. Mitte was Breaking Bad’s troubled heart of goodness, a decent, fragile soul witnessing his dad’s descent into murderous criminality. RJ Mitte was a disability activist, advocate and changer of attitudes. Above all, he was a brilliant actor who could move us to laughter and tears and everything in between. This beautiful young man played the cards life dealt him. And he played them so brilliantly that he will never be forgotten. KEEF’S LOST TRACK 10 Keith Richards had absolutely no recollection of the Seventies Credit: Getty – Contributor SIR Paul McCartney claims he can remember his birth in 1942. Advertisement “I have this feeling I can remember being born,” Paul says. “I was born in a place in Liverpool called Walton Hospital. “I remember white tiles, very hygienic white tiles, and chrome instruments and a clanging because I was a forceps birth. I sort of think I remember that.” That’s impressive. I mean, that’s REALLY impressive. Because I once bumped into Keith Richards and reminded the Rolling Stones guitarist that we had met at Aylesbury Crown Court in January 1977, when he was facing a two-count indictment for drug possession. And Keith had absolutely no recollection of the Seventies. A DEPRESSING new poll suggests that in the United Kingdom – this proud warrior nation, where no invader has triumphed for a thousand years – an astonishing 48 per cent of the population insist they would never go to war. My guess is that they would soon start to fight if one of the Red Army tried to take away their phone. ROYAL SMILE 10 Harry and Meghan are back meeting the locals in Nottingham, as if Megxit never happened after all those claims about escaping the allegedly racist Royal Family. Credit: Getty IT’S like Megxit never happened! Advertisement After those interviews about “finding freedom” and escaping the clutches of the wickedly racist Royal Family , there was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex meeting the locals in Nottingham. They may have technically given up royal duties but this was a regal meet-and-greet in all but name. Big smiles all round. Selfies with the adoring crowds. Charm and cheering and good vibes galore. It worked! The crowds were delighted to see Harry and Meghan. The Oprah interview, Harry’s book, the whining – all forgiven, or at least conveniently forgotten. I can’t recall seeing Harry and Meghan ever looking quite that happy in America.