Martin Leyland

Facts matter People matter Respect matters Honesty matters Sincerity matters Levity matters Listening matters Debate matters Now….. let’s talk

Mr Burnham is confusing me. Labour Conference: “I want to move beyond a decade of drift and division. To bring a spirit of unity and positivity back to our country.” Every week since: ‘Let’s have a rethink about Europe’. I’m looking forward to seeing how much unity and positivity emerges.

Holborn’s election headlines hide an uncomfortable truth. Does a turn out of 39% indicate a general disenfranchisement of voters, or a sign that no leading parties really engaged locally? It’s a bad sign for democracy if 60% of the voters do not feel it’s even worth taking part. #democracy

My first important vote was for the Common Market in 1975. What people voted on then was considerably less integrated than the later EU, but contained many of the elements we think are again favourable. Time to resurrect the form of relationship that 67% of the country voted for back then? #EU

No sooner had Burnham’s speech of vision settled than reality kicked in. The market tanked today, and savers have seen their pension pots dip dramatically. And they’re going to be the target of a lot of the taxation which is approaching. This is not going to draw the voters he needs. #burnham

Farewell and rest in peace, Esther. You were a huge part of our lives growing up: you and your work will be missed. May your memory forever be a blessing. #rantzen

I’m going to say it. Andy Burham. I’m impressed. #burnham #uk

Is the EU on a path to the further reaches of the right that is at odds with the destination sought by those who favour the UK rejoining? #EU

This morning. “The UK should "team up" with a proposed economic alliance between Canada and Europe, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has said”. Respect for our changed Commonwealth and a strengthened approach to the EU, and I like it. #EU #Canada #UK

36 years ago, Germany was finally reunified following the forcible occupation of the East by the USSR at the end of WWII. Are we now witnessing the start of a further political separation, now through the ballot box? #germany #AfD

If God had set out to design a person intended to define the aristocracy, with characteristics moulded to turn the rest of the population against them, he might well have designed Earl Charles Spencer.  #charlesspencer

I love athletics. Is it just me or is the Athlos TV presentation just crass and OTT? I won’t use other adjectives but I am not enjoying the coverage at all. It’s grating… #athlos

The decision in 2008 to reject the idea of a UK water grid, on the grounds of cost, is starting to look very short sighted. The costs of not reacting to climate change far exceed what we failed to spend. #water #climate

That’s a concerning choice, to reappoint Joe Root as England test captain. We don’t win very much with him in that role, and his batting average gets worse too. And he’s 35. The pendulum has well and truly swung away from Bazball. #root #cricket

How about a new government Ministry entitled the Department of Joined Up Thinking? This administration – all administrations – need a healthy slice of common sense inserted into their dealings. We are bogging our process down with unfulfilled promises and bureaucracy. #burnham #government

I admit to occasionally missing the point in today’s fast moving media environment. But is another nuclear State in the Middle East what we need right now? #saudi #nuclear

Am I right to worry about Mr Burnham’s lack of real world experience? I’m not sure what exposure a staff writer at Tank World gets to the cut and thrust of commerce or industry. But it might explain his use of the word Reindustrialisation as if it’s a real something or other. #burnham

Reindustrialisation. A word thrown to the past without intent or belief. #burnham

The sheer horror of Ann Widdecombe’s brutal murder should touch the humanity in us all. #widdecombe

I’m just a little surprised that Bluesky users haven’t picked up on the ridiculous carbon cost of flying rugby teams between continents every few days for the new Nations Championship competition. I love my rugby but this is hard to justify. #rugby #climatechange

Burnham purges Starmer supporters from Cabinet. “He will reap what he has sown” says an unnamed MP. #starmer #burnham

Let’s be fair about the World Cup Final. Argentina played the best rugby on the day. #argentina

I saw three people in Edinburgh yesterday wearing Argentina shirts… I wonder if they’ll be in the wash or in the bin now? #scotland #argentina

Having become skeptical about the motivations of many of our politicians in seeking power, I cant help but conclude that unless we construct a truly safe environment for all of them, regardless of their views, to talk and walk freely, then the future of our democracy is at stake. #democracy

I’m struggling to understand how people who rebrand hatred as being somehow acceptable if it supports their personal take on an issue are missing the wider point, that there is a significant threat to the operation of our democracy if politicians are not safe to express their views. #widdecombe

Whatever your views on Ann Widdecombe’s politics or views she did not deserve to die like that. #widdecombe #reform

Well done England. I’m proud of you for making the ‘anyone but England’ brigade more boring now than the way you play. What a game! #england

How about replacing the UK National Anthem at England games with something more apt? I’d go for Jerusalem maybe. Or perhaps this classic by Ralph McTell. youtu.be/TIOrhxkPYKM?...

Good growth in every postcode. Sounds a bit of a lottery. #burnham

So the Defence Review plans a structural realignment of objectives and tactics in an innovative, upbeat appraisal…. that seems strangely aligned with the need to avoid spending too much inconvenient cash on the process.

Even the strongest supporters of the European Union acknowledge that there are structural difficulties arising from the split bases of Brussels and Strasbourg. It just doesn’t work efficiently: partly, and amusingly, because no high speed rail line exists between the two. #EU #burnham #no10

Tough on Scotland, that result last night. Now they have to sit until Sunday not knowing whether to train or pack their bags.

Andy Burnham’s team are having to think hard about how they tell anyone who isn’t from Labour or Manchester who he is. We like elections and to know our candidates. Manchester will start to look very small in the rear view mirror unless he sells himself and his policies quickly… #burnham

I’m beginning to dislike the term “progressive policy “. To many it seems that what they really mean to say is “untested and likely to fail “.

A good way to not be taken seriously is by not taking other people seriously.

Radical ideas are espoused in opposition, lost in power.

I have many doubts about Labour’s mastery of the policies they wish to pursue. But my goodness, they’ve absolutely nailed betrayal.

Whatever the merits of either, both Brexit and the Scottish independence referendum have left our countries split down the middle, both halves hating the other. A recipe for a move toward politics similar to those we see across the Atlantic. Where on earth did the middle ground go?

I do worry about the Labour Party. The membership seems held bent on pursuing unelectable policies, rejoices when an electable leader gets them into power then sees the back of him in the belief that their unelectable policies actually won the day. No future in that.

I do wish our elected representatives would stop treating this country as if it was a football club whose manager’s resignation must be demanded after three weeks without a win.

Congratulations to Northampton Saints on a special win at Twickenham today, topping a wonderful season. Shoe army!

Is there now a seismic change in British political voting habits? Save maybe for the SNP, the old inherited, tribal instincts of our political system are weakening and now being replaced by a voting population who place their X according to their life values.

Did a middle ground ever exist in US politics? Was there ever a time when discourse and debate out-ranked monologue? Whatever your thoughts about the current incumbent at The White House you’d be forgiven for thinking that the whole of the country has disappeared into the well of hatred and madness

Ireland takes a neutral stance and is unable to defend itself against attack, spending less than 1% GDP on defence. Ireland is a weak link in the wider defence of the UK. Should the UK buy or take Ireland? Of course not. Same applies to the USA and Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela…