Joshi Herrmann

I’ve been writing about Andy Burnham in Manchester for a while. We’ve had a few run-ins but I think he has qualities that many people don’t appreciate and weaknesses that spell trouble. I wrote this for @ManchesterMill - I hope it’s insightful and fair. manchestermill.co.uk/stop-looking-f…

EXCLUSIVE on our podcast The State of It with @patrickkmaguire @lara_spirit * Senior allies of Andy Burnham believe that they have succeeded in stopping Ed Miliband from becoming Chancellor amid concerns that he will become a “lightning rod” for criticism of the new government * Three senior figures around Burnham told The State of It, the political podcast by The Times and The Sunday Times, that they now believe Burnham has been persuaded not to choose Miliband when he announces his top team next Monday * Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, spoke to Burnham about the economy during a one-to-one meeting last week, although the bulk of their meeting focused on home affairs.  She is now said to be the frontrunner for the role, although a source close to Burnham insisted that no final decision has been taken * Miliband has been at the centre of a bitter briefing war for weeks, with his defenders arguing that he is the only candidate with experience and vision to turn the economy around * However senior figures around Burnham are concerned that Miliband, the net zero and energy secretary, is a “divisive” figure who carries significant “baggage” after his unsuccessful run for Number 10 in 2015. They are argue that he will not pass the “sniff test” with the markets, a claim strongly refuted by allies of Miliband * They are also concerned about his opposition to new oil and gas licences in the North Sea, an issue on which there is a clear divide with Burnham * In other senior appointments, Louise Haigh is said to be in line for Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Lucy Powell is being considered for the role of Deputy Prime Minister, and Johnny Reynolds is expected to return to his former role of business secretary * Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, was originally slated for the role of foreign secretary but is now expected to be given another senior brief youtu.be/30ugUbTZJb8?si…

📸 Yesterdayy, FPC, the Centre for Freedom of the Media, and the Centre for Journalism and Democracy co-organised a parliamentary reception on strengthening protections against #SLAPPs in the UK, with support from @WigginLLP.

"I’ve been perplexed by Samuel Smith’s for the best part of 20 years" 🍻 Where to start after the death of the mercurial Humphrey Smith? He was well known for his idiosyncrasies but we took a deeper dive into what this huge change means for the brewery’s pubs in Leeds, one of which has been closed for a decade. theexchange.news/ive-been-perpl…

If we aren't creating new companies, why are so many more people taking payments? Me for @thetimes on Britain's secret business boom thetimes.com/comment/column…

A student walks into Salford University’s support office and douses themselves in petrol. “Not as theatre,” they would later write, “but as a last available language”... (1/)

Jaw-dropping stat from @Paul_Swinney's latest. Something he and I have been looking for a long time. Britain outside of South England operates at fiscal deficits on the scale of Greece at the worst of its financial crisis. economicsobservatory.com/greek-tragedy-…

@donnchup From John McDonnell to the clients of James Purnell’s lobbying company.

@joshi He succeeds because of a Darwinian process of getting the widest selection of people thinking he's on their side.

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The Ikon Gallery is among Birmingham's finest buildings. But this landmark was not originally a civic icon. It was, in fact, originally Oozells Street Board School, and its history is a testament to the city’s decisive role in fighting for free universal education.

Extraordinary events now being reported at the University of Greater Manchester/Bolton. Phil Brickell has raised the issue but surely one for DfE and the select committee to look into?

Extraordinary story

This means Andy Burnham and his allies were plotting to bring down Keir Starmer only a few months into his premiership - extraordinary admission by his top ally

No need to say more!

Goodbye Popworld! When Ark announced its shock closure on Sunday, it was reported that Popworld would be the only club left on Deansgate Locks. But The Mill can reveal that Popworld is closing too. By next Sunday, the once bustling strip will be reduced to a row of empty units.

Working class bookworms vs the middle class literati. 📚 That's how author David Barnett encapsulates the two book festivals vying for readers' attention in Bradford this week. But is it a battle, or rather two welcome allies that can coexist together amid a backdrop of potential doom for the city's libraries...🤔 theexchange.news/double-booked/

Sweating over a scorching day in Manchester? Try sweating over the future of the city region instead. As Greater Manchester votes for its next mayor, 3 days before you cast your ballot, we are hosting the definitive political event of the summer: The Mill Mayoral Hustings.

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The lack of accountability in combined authorities has been a big talking point. We've repeatedly highlighted it when it comes to the devolved health system. When @jackdulhanty broke the Lord story, the response was evasion and cover-up. manchestermill.co.uk/why-isnt-andy-…

He should start with the GMCA! There's no elected assembly to scrutinise the mayor, committees are packed with Labour cllrs, and when Burnham's advisor/best mate was caught in a scandal over public money there was no mechanism to hold him accountable when Burnham refused to.