Political sewer-swimming has now become an Olympic sport |
IN less than two weeks’ time, the future of the UK – and potentially our own – could be irrevocably changed, perhaps for the worse.
This is a make-or-break by-election in Makerfield for Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s mayor, and the Labour Party.
Currently, internal Labour leadership struggles are a mere distraction, but the party has placed all its hopes in Burnham’s hands.
A loss for him spells disaster for Labour, leaving them with a leader in Downing Street whose authority is severely diminished.
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Conversely, a win would be a comeback worthy of Lazarus for Burnham and most likely his party.
The individual contesting the election for Reform, Robert Kenyon, has a debatable background.
It seems claims of misogyny and flirtation with the right aren’t obstacles to a political career in Reform Ltd. After all, this is the party of older men and lads whose comments are simply blokey banter and bravado.
For the Chelsea Sloanes and Vicky Pollards, it’s all just testosterone-driven craic – no more than you’d hear at a stag do in Clacton or on the Millwall terraces. Bawdy British humour – close to the bone, yes, but harmless.
The election was always going to be a bear pit, and it’s no surprise that it’s also becoming fuelled by fiery muck-raking and rabble-rousing rhetoric from Reform.
Recklessness and inflammatory language are their........