Burnham the Bandit heads for No 10 with only one terrifying idea
Burnham wanted Starmer to stay on as Prime Minister for another three months so he could work out what he wants to do when he takes over. That should tell everyone that the Windbag of the North just wants to be PM for the status of the job.
Bereft of policies, Burnham seems to have only one big idea – increasing taxes. So expect all manner of wealth taxes at the budget from a mansion tax to higher capital gains taxes and for an “exit tax" on entrepreneurs and investors when they leave the country. Andy might not have any policy ideas up his sleeve, but Burnham the Bandit seems to have a lot of suggestions on how to take more of your money off you.
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As part of the national rape gang inquiry last week, the government announced it would do three local inquiries in London, Oldham and Bradford & Keighley. I await the findings, but I won't be holding my breath. It wouldn't surprise me if this announcement was just to quieten the screams for action particularly after Rupert Lowe delivered his own report, which made for shocking reading.
And I know, I worked on the inquiry with him. The size of the issue is huge – 250,000 girls in at least 146 areas from Aberdeen to Plymouth have been damaged, so three local inquiries won't cut the mustard.
The number of 16-year-olds on PIP, the disability benefit, has trebled in five years and this government's latest mad idea will see that rise further and faster. For they will allow young people on benefits to be able to start driving at 16 years and, if they are on PIP, they can also get 40 hours of free driving lessons worth around £2,000.
What is the point of working when incentives are directed at people on benefits? Labour stopped representing the working-classes years ago, and this is yet another dumb policy that confirms Labour is just the party of the benefits class.
Sara Cox has just landed the Terry Wogan morning Radio 2 slot. The mum of two teenagers and a daughter in her twenties couldn't be happier with the move. Sara is witty, bright and up for a challenge, which is why she has remained at the top of her game for 30 years.
I know the SNP government in Scotland is full of extremists, but even I was shocked to read over the weekend that they want to ban all prison sentences of less than five years! That would leave violent thugs, paedophiles, and persistent burglars out on the streets even when they are convicted.
In fact if this had been the law in 2023/24, only 594 criminals out of the 10,100 jailed would still have been sent to prison. This left-wing anti-prison sentiment is hugely dangerous and it will be the law abiding majority who will pay the price.