David Herdson
@davidherdson.bsky.social
Part-time writer. Political activist. Fan of Bradford City and rail travel (amongst other things). Bibliophile. Dad. List not necessarily in order of importance.
Burnham has been about as clear as he can be about his motive. It's not underhand.
And MPs do have a right to challenge a leader: their loyalty is supposed to be to the party/'movement', not any given leader.
And MPs do have a right to challenge a leader: their loyalty is supposed to be to the party/'movement', not any given leader.
January 24, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Burnham has been about as clear as he can be about his motive. It's not underhand.
And MPs do have a right to challenge a leader: their loyalty is supposed to be to the party/'movement', not any given leader.
And MPs do have a right to challenge a leader: their loyalty is supposed to be to the party/'movement', not any given leader.
That's right (although it's not the same the other way round - an MP has to resign to be able to run for a mayoralty with PCC powers).
January 24, 2026 at 5:34 PM
That's right (although it's not the same the other way round - an MP has to resign to be able to run for a mayoralty with PCC powers).
Although the qualifications to military superpower status is falling by the hour.
January 24, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Although the qualifications to military superpower status is falling by the hour.
Well, he wasn't 100% out. There are certainly other leaders taking inspiration from him (but then Trump is hardly the prototype here).
And it was always one hell of an 'if'.
And it was always one hell of an 'if'.
January 24, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Well, he wasn't 100% out. There are certainly other leaders taking inspiration from him (but then Trump is hardly the prototype here).
And it was always one hell of an 'if'.
And it was always one hell of an 'if'.
If it's Europe's responsibility, then it would be helpful if he and his minions fucked off and stopped trying to impose the Kremlin's terms on Ukraine.
It might also helpfully prompt Europe into stepping up its production and support and reduce reliance on the US across the board.
It might also helpfully prompt Europe into stepping up its production and support and reduce reliance on the US across the board.
January 24, 2026 at 12:52 PM
If it's Europe's responsibility, then it would be helpful if he and his minions fucked off and stopped trying to impose the Kremlin's terms on Ukraine.
It might also helpfully prompt Europe into stepping up its production and support and reduce reliance on the US across the board.
It might also helpfully prompt Europe into stepping up its production and support and reduce reliance on the US across the board.
I've not seen the draft legislation but would be surprised if the same provision won't apply to mayors with PCC powers, as Burnham has now.
January 24, 2026 at 12:34 PM
I've not seen the draft legislation but would be surprised if the same provision won't apply to mayors with PCC powers, as Burnham has now.
Quayle had been in Congress for 12 years, House and Senate, before contesting the 1988 election - six times longer than Vance's experience.
January 24, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Quayle had been in Congress for 12 years, House and Senate, before contesting the 1988 election - six times longer than Vance's experience.
It only becomes the new order if it becomes the new practice. But the countries that showed up were very limited; it certainly doesn't have anything like global reach.
Russia and China won't go along with it if Trump personally has such a privileged position in its structure.
Russia and China won't go along with it if Trump personally has such a privileged position in its structure.
January 24, 2026 at 11:26 AM
It only becomes the new order if it becomes the new practice. But the countries that showed up were very limited; it certainly doesn't have anything like global reach.
Russia and China won't go along with it if Trump personally has such a privileged position in its structure.
Russia and China won't go along with it if Trump personally has such a privileged position in its structure.
Like tariffs, the 'Board of Peace" is a thing Trump *thinks he* can use to bludgeon other countries.
In reality, it's not worked out very effectively for him recently.
In reality, it's not worked out very effectively for him recently.
January 24, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Like tariffs, the 'Board of Peace" is a thing Trump *thinks he* can use to bludgeon other countries.
In reality, it's not worked out very effectively for him recently.
In reality, it's not worked out very effectively for him recently.
In the case of the World Cup, I'm less fussed about footballers missing out. They're multi-millionaires and international football often isn't their first priority.
I'd have a lot more sympathy for Olympic athletes, who've sacrificed greatly to reach their pinnacle, particularly in minority sports.
I'd have a lot more sympathy for Olympic athletes, who've sacrificed greatly to reach their pinnacle, particularly in minority sports.
January 24, 2026 at 9:53 AM
In the case of the World Cup, I'm less fussed about footballers missing out. They're multi-millionaires and international football often isn't their first priority.
I'd have a lot more sympathy for Olympic athletes, who've sacrificed greatly to reach their pinnacle, particularly in minority sports.
I'd have a lot more sympathy for Olympic athletes, who've sacrificed greatly to reach their pinnacle, particularly in minority sports.
Yes. It's an OR, not an XOR!
January 24, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Yes. It's an OR, not an XOR!
£500k? Isn't the spending *limit* for the Gtr Manchester mayoral election about £200k? And there's no obligation to spend it.
Yes, there'd also be staff time costs but that'd mostly be nominal - people working on one campaign rather than another.
Yes, there'd also be staff time costs but that'd mostly be nominal - people working on one campaign rather than another.
January 24, 2026 at 9:30 AM
£500k? Isn't the spending *limit* for the Gtr Manchester mayoral election about £200k? And there's no obligation to spend it.
Yes, there'd also be staff time costs but that'd mostly be nominal - people working on one campaign rather than another.
Yes, there'd also be staff time costs but that'd mostly be nominal - people working on one campaign rather than another.
Those who it would make wince aren't paying attention.
The majority of Brits will be delighted with the comment and hope - against experience - that the UK govt will respond positively.
The majority of Brits will be delighted with the comment and hope - against experience - that the UK govt will respond positively.
January 24, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Those who it would make wince aren't paying attention.
The majority of Brits will be delighted with the comment and hope - against experience - that the UK govt will respond positively.
The majority of Brits will be delighted with the comment and hope - against experience - that the UK govt will respond positively.