The Pygge is the New Statesman's gossip columnist, spreading mischief and mayhem wherever they go. Email tips and party invites to tips@newstatesman.co.uk
Joined July 2013
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The Pygge retweeted
Jan 27
Peston also now reporting what the @ThePygge heard last night
Always read the Pygge newstatesman.com/politics/20…
Jan 27
The executive of the Tribune Group, representing more than 100 Labour MPs plus some lords, has written to Shabana Mahmood, chair of Labour’s ruling NEC, expressing “disappointment” that Andy Burnham was barred from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The signatories were Yuan Yang and the six other executive members on behalf of Tribune
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The Pygge retweeted
Jan 25
Excl: Zack Polanski will not stand as the Green Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
A Green Party source told @NewStatesman that whoever is chosen as the party’s candidate will be selected by the local party.
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The Pygge retweeted
Jan 25
🚨NEW Majority of Manchester voters polled say Labour "wrong" to block Burnham in exclusive polling in @NewStatesman👇
54% say Labour "wrong" to block Burnham's bid (8% say it's "right")
62% say Burnham should be "free to seek selection as an MP"
53% agree with the claim that "petty personal or factional politics" are behind the decision to block Burnham
50% say they would interpret the decision as a sign of weakness from Labour (5% say it shows strength)
Just 7% agree with the NEC's stated reason that a mayoral by-election would be an expensive incovenience for locals
33% even say the party blocking Burnham would make them "less likely" to vote Labour
The poll is also the latest to suggest a Burnham candidacy would help Labour beat Reform in Gorton and Denton
Comes amid political backlash across Labour today about the leadership's decision to bar Burnham
The polling of 1,000 GMCA residents was carried out rapidly over the past 48 hours in Manchester by @FindoutnowUK
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The Pygge retweeted
Jan 25
In the knifing of Burnham, no senior Labour politician got blood on their hands. Shabana Mahmood, shielded by convention, chaired the crucial NEC meeting but did not vote (on the morning media round she had praised Burnham as an “exceptional politician”). Deputy Leader Lucy Powell, unsurprisingly, cast a lonely vote for Burnham. Wes Streeting condemned the anonymous briefings against Burnham as “disgraceful” and, without endorsing Burnham’s run, said the party needed “the best possible candidate” in Gorton and Denton. Ed Miliband said Burnham should be allowed to stand. So did Sadiq Khan. Those publicly trashing Burnham’s run were a selection of backbenchers. The figures on the NEC who voted to block Burnham are not household names. This is a decision that will be entirely put at the door of Keir Starmer. And if this decision results in the loss a safe Labour seat, in the party’s heartland of Greater Manchester, the Prime Minister will find that it is very, very lonely at the top.
Jan 25
This is a decision that will be entirely put at the door of Keir Starmer, writes @EthanCroft98
newstatesman.com/politics/uk…
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The Pygge retweeted
Jan 24
A reminder: Andy Burnham’s plan for Britain👇 newstatesman.com/politics/20…
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