Ricki

I tell you what, the next season of #TheCrown is gonna be a great watch… 😂

There is no LGB without the T. We rise together and we fall together. Part of my speech in Parliament for LGBTQ+ History Month:

@ellisidk_ Not the paper gun 🤩😂😂

@ellisidk_ curious what happened 😂

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM 😂😂

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM Well, at least it clears away shit I suppose.

I am disappointed by today’s NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us. To whoever is Labour’s candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me. 1/2

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM A toilet brush is more popular than Starmer at the moment 😂

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM It would take up a few weeks. That's all. Same as any bog standard councillor seeking a Westminster job. He was blocked because Starmer knows he's a vastly more popular politician right now who would beat him in a leadership battle. That's all there is to it.

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM Andy said he had no plans to run. He said his focus would be on his current role and he had no plans to leave what he thinks is the “best job” etc, etc. if he ran for office it would take up weeks if not months of his paid role, where he is supposed to be running a public office

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM No it doesn't. He becomes an MP, he resigns, a new mayor is elected. It's pretty standard in politics. This attempt to suggest it's dishonest or something is weird and the sort of thing that myopic football fans engage in when it comes to players.

I’ll give one thing to The #Tories, ‘never kissed a #Reform voter’ doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. #neverkissedatory

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM That’s not what I said. I said I believe there is a conflict of interest in running to be an MP as a regional mayor who has executive responsibility and controls £2.6bn. Running impacts his madate and credibility - especially when he has said he wouldnt run.

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM You're saying someone doing one political job shouldn't seek a superior political job whilst in their role. Even if you're just talking about "public service" rather than ambition, surely the more senior role you can get, the more power you have, the more good you can do.

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM A councillor and a regional mayor with executive responsibility for police, fire, transport, health etc isn’t exactly equivalent though.

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM It's unrealistic though. Plenty of councillors run for MP whilst still councillors. The move from local to national politics is entirely natural.

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM Just airing my views on the matter as many people do, giving my two-pence and all that

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM You can believe what you like but that's not how the world works

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM I’m not saying politicians don’t use postings as stepping stones, we’ve all seen ministers hot-footing portfolios. I just personally don’t agree that should be the norm

@itisricki @AndyBurnhamGM Whether they should or shouldn't be you're being massively naive if you think they aren't. Do you not think Streeting sees Health Sec as a stepping stone, or Starmer saw his role under Corbyn as one? That's politics.

I miss circles

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM I generally like AB. However, his mandate is to be Mayor, not a part-timer campaigning elsewhere. Elected offices should not be seen as stepping stones. Being Mayor of Greater Manchester is a full-time executive role, if that’s not his priority, he should step down

@PaddyM04882466 @AndyBurnhamGM It’s nothing like applying for a promotion, for many reasons. I personally believe if you hold a full-time and paid public office, you shouldn’t run for another. He could have chosen not to rest and as Mayor in 2024 and run for an MP in 2025 if he wanted to be in Parliament.

IMO you should only be able to stand in a constituency if you live/work there. The fact parties air drop people in is crazy. It should be for local members, not party Exec to decide who stands. Andy should not run until his term of office has finished as he said he plans to…

Me watching #TheTraitors finale tonight. #TheTraitorsUK

Just when you thought @ClaudiaWinkle couldn’t get any more fringe… #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK

Empowerment over prohibition. Instead of bans, the UK should invest in digital literacy, mental-health support, affordable internet access, and democratic platform regulation so young people use tech safely. #socialmedia

Social media can be a lifeline for LGBT+ & marginalised youth. For many, online spaces are where they find support and identity. A #socialmediaban would isolate those who already lack community.

Don’t #BanSocialMedia. Working-class kids use social platforms to build community, share culture, and access info. Banning them deepens digital divides instead of funding schools, libraries & support services.