As the revolving door of Downing Street swings again, Birmingham voters remain unimpressed by the prospect of Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister. The former Manchester mayor was sworn in on Monday after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation, but the enthusiasm among backbench Labour MPs was not mirrored in the city centre.
Mixed Reactions from Birmingham Residents
Mark Sturch, 54, from Sutton Coldfield, said he had never voted Labour and believed Burnham was "probably no better" than Starmer. "I'm happy he's (Starmer) gone. He's (Burnham) probably no better, maybe worse," Sturch said. "He is further left than Starmer. That's not good. We need more central or further right politics. I would never vote Labour."
Sturch called on Burnham to adopt more right-wing policies, arguing, "We need growth in our country and Labour does not agree with growth. They want to tax us to oblivion and they think the way for growth is in the public sector and tax the working people. They don't understand business, none of the cabinet have ever had a job or run a business. They don't know how business works and don't live in the real world."
Indifference and Skepticism
Kari Crooks, another Birmingham resident, expressed indifference toward the political change. "I'll be honest, no. I hate to be negative, I'm now 31 and seen quite a few Prime Ministers. I've not noticed any change. It would be silly to say I feel optimistic now," she said. "I can appreciate he (Starmer) wasn't popular with some people but others quite liked him, he was quite different and a bit of fresh air to others. I'm quite indifferent to be honest with you."
Krishan Kumar was not surprised by Starmer's resignation and remained open-minded about Burnham. "I'd like to see a focus on putting British people first and their interests, that's key for me. I'm not surprised, I don't think he was decisive enough and need someone more decisive, more assertive. I don't know a lot about Burnham. We will find out in due course," he said.
Hope for Taxing the Rich
Simon, who said he would vote Green Party in the next election, judged Burnham on his tax policies. "Burnham has a rocky voting record but he is offering what seems a more palatable route. If he can tax the rich, I'd have to see what he did. I'd rather vote for Labour with someone in charge who can make a difference and not just say it. But otherwise, I'd just vote Green Party. It's very simple and I think a lot of people feel that way," he said.
Burnham becomes the seventh Prime Minister in ten years, a turnover rate that would shame the most trigger-happy football club chairmen. The response in Birmingham was overwhelmingly mixed, with many voters unconvinced that the change in leadership will bring meaningful change.
