This surprised the Labour factions.. I think knobbling them will be key to his success. A strong, focused and united team is vital to getting anything done.
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I like the way that Burnham spoke in Downing Street without the use of notes or a teleprompter. It would seem to indicate that he has a genuine belief in what he was saying and knows his subject well. One is impressed.
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I quite liked that he did his speech without that stupid lectern, and without reading from a script.
I’ve been too busy to see who’s been appointed in the cabinet but I saw he’s removed some key figures including Rachel Reeves.
I think it’s good he’s moving certain governmental functions Up North, but there are places other than Manchester that he could’ve chosen.
Anyway I’m not gonna slag him off before he’s had a chance to prove himself.
Edit: ha, great minds, Robert 
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A Day 1 purge of Starmer loyalists that would make Uncle Joe nod in approval.
Burnham is on record saying that he wants to keep away from foreign affairs - then a surprising appointment of Red Ed! He does not have an address book of solid contacts out there and will get eaten alive - especially in MAGA land - but on the other hand, it keeps him out of the way when the subject of North Sea comes up, also any bickering that he could possibly start up inside the party.
Much better to have seen Starmer or even Lamy there..
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It’s perhaps a surprise that Milliband got that post but, given his track record of actual achievement it’s not really a surprise that he’s in there somewhere.
Definitely a lesson about not paying attention to press speculation before the announcement.
Now that I’ve looked at the full list, Streeting seems an odd choice for defence and how on earth did Nandy (the invisible woman) hang on to culture.
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Rayner as housing secretary (Edit: again) is quite ironic. It seems Andy has a sense of humour 
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You might be surprised by Miliband, he’s well known internationally and is respected. I think he’ll be more than capable of dealing with Trump and his bunch of wacko’s. Interesting times ahead!
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I’m glad she’s back - yes she cocked up her tax but in the grand scheme of things it was a minor transgression (compared to oh, let’s see, accepting £5 million under the table from a party donor?).
Yes I think Millipede is a reasonable choice.
Burnham has started as he means to go on by removing VAT on household fuels - let’s hope the dosh is down the back of the sofa to fund it.
He might want to think about appointing Count Binface to the cabinet as well after Aug 13th
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Just Electricity and only for six months starting on the 1st of October.
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Still a better start than Starmers, removing tje ÂŁ300 winter fuel payment, that was the beginning of his dislike. Obviously things need adjusting but there better ways than hitting the pensioners right out of the starting blocks
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Oh was it? Serves me right for skim-reading the BBC article!
In that case he didn’t have to reach very far behind the sofa cushions!
Good to see Angela back.
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The money comes from scrapping the ID thing, it’ll fund it for the first 6 months until their first budget, then we’ll have to see what comes next. Good ,positive first step, methinks.
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For the first time in years and years I am interested in politics again. 
I think Burnham is good news.
I also think Starmer has been unbelievably gracious in getting out of the way fast, so that Burnham and his new team can get on with the job ASAP - hasn’t given Russia, China, whoever meddles in our politics these days a chance to do damage.
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(that was an easy fix)
But after one day, things are looking positive for Burnham. It’s not a very big sample, but it seems to be based on an understanding of what he is really like (although, apparently, he is a “cafeteria Catholic”, someone who picks what he fancies from the doctrine, so is unlikely to frighten the horses).
Enjoy it while it lasts!
It doesn’t really make sense to subsidise fossil fuels with one hand, while trying to reduce their use with the other. Whereas this might go some way to encouraging transition to non-fossil heating methods.
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Quite common amongst religious people so he’s not really an outlier.
If he pushes the de coupling of electricity prices from gas that could really increase the uptake. Its barely viable at current UK prices even if you have a well designed system and appalling if you dont.
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Yes it’s crazy that switching to cleaner electric energy is penalised by the connection to gas prices.
If I was World President I would also abolish or massively reduce standing charges.
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