Lucy Fisher

I think that's true.

There was a sense he lacked a sort of human element and tended to be quite robotic in front of the cameras.

And beyond the sort of the simple comment about his style, there was this sense he couldn't infuse the country with a message of hope and change in the same way that we've seen Andy Burnham do in Makerfield.

So I think there will be hopes for his successor that there's an ability more to set out a vision and bring the country with him.

No, that's right.

You know, I think it's the UK that's now become a byword for instability in Europe.

And I agree with Ollie that, you know, the sluggish economic growth has been a factor, pretty much a level living standards, no growth there.

Also, perhaps the frenetic pace and environment of social media that means that politicians are

reach saturation point with the public quicker.

And while Keir Starmer has only been prime minister for two years, we shouldn't forget that he led the Labour Party for four years before that.

So six years in charge of Labour might also contribute to the public feeling they've had enough of him.

I think there's a lot in that.

And indeed, if you look at where Manchester ranks in Europe-wide league tables for measures like growth and unemployment in recent years, it's right up there.

Although we should remember that many of the reforms and ideas that led to this idea of Manchesterism actually predate Burnham.

He simply carried on

Some of the ideas that originated with other luminaries of Manchester local government like Howard Bernstein.

I think on top of that, he's really played into this idea that he is the king of the north and wants to stand up to Westminster elites.

He'll look out for left behind communities and those that.

have been overlooked in recent years.

And then, of course, the fairly stunning result, we have to hand it to him, in the Makerfield by-election last week, where Reform UK picked up all the council seats just last month.