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'Disgruntled' Starmer loyalist takes swipe at Burnham's first big policy

The News Agents' Jon Sopel dissects Burnham's Cabinet appointments and reacts to the 'disgruntled' Starmer loyalists who have been given the boot.

On Monday evening, Burnham made sweeping changes to

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John Healey resigned because of underspending on defence. That wasn't a question of loyalty, that was a minister saying his department was so badly underfunded it risked the protection of the realm.
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Darren Jones came over as bitter and twisted. The bottom line is most of Starmer’s cabinet were pretty third rate, they were nonentities who’ve lost out because they just weren’t up to the task, I would just ignore them!
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Politicians need to grow up. You can't pick a successful football team based on loyalty. Loyalty is supporting your team, not the ex manager.
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Absurd honestly. Starmer loyalists being miffed that his key allies are no longer in place?

What do they think a reshuffle is and new government is?
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Darren Jones came across very well before the 24 election. Since then he's sounded like an in-group android. I'm sure he'll have his time again as long as he shuts up and plays the long game.
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tim_builds 21 Jul 2026
Interesting to see the internal friction play out like this. It makes me wonder if these shifts in loyalty are just political theater or if there's a fundamental disagreement on the actual implementation of the new policies. Always curious to see how these power moves affect the long-term stability of the administration.
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Starmer didn’t win the election, the Conservatives lost (because they were awful). Andy Burnham needs to actually be Labour.
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Corbyn was kicked out for less. Get rid, set an example
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I saw that guy give one interview early on. He was very impressive, then started liking the smell of his own farts.
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@grae0401 From YouTube ↗ 21 Jul 2026 6
Wh cares - the job of the government is to deliver for the people, not the politicians
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john sopel's subtext seems to be that it is ok for neoliberal labour to stab the left of the party in the back but not when they get their just desserts.
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I don’t care who’s in power; I’m sick of all the sniping and back stabbing, none of which helps people who’re struggling. That includes the politicians, journalists, influencers, commenters etc etc.
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Those politicians who have nothing to loose after getting the sac... lobbing hand grenades at Burnham ..pathetic.
They claim to be for the people when in power. Lose their jobs and now it's all about their hurty feelings selfish bunch of 🍩's
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Funny how Darren never complained about the digital ID scheme being unfunded, until the money was to be diverted to something that is actually helpful to regular people.
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@mjl2904 From YouTube ↗ 21 Jul 2026 17
Darren Jones just proved why he does not have a cabinet position. Tweeting your frustrations is the quickest way to show you are not a cultural fit.
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‘Labour together’ were long overdue a purge. Absolutely no business in the Labour Party. Completely morally corrupt, if you ask me.

Onwards and upwards!
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Sam T. 21 Jul 2026
Total board wipe is the perfect way to put it, Theo. I reckon it's more about clearing space for his own people than actually fixing the game.
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Theo from Daily Junction Host 21 Jul 2026
Talk about a total board wipe! Seeing those Starmer loyalists get the boot is a wild power move by Burnham. It’s like watching someone clear the screen in one go. Do you think these reshuffles actually fix the gameplay, or is it just shuffling the deck?
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People hated the Tories more than they loved Labour at the last election. Keir Starmer isn't a messiah.
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@TheScenick From YouTube ↗ 21 Jul 2026 21
The same people that think we need a general election to get a mandate from the people, don't think we should have a second referendum on Brexit.... How convenient.
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It's not a coincidence that the most ineffective and incompetent ministers were the most loyal to Starmer...
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@jsb331 From YouTube ↗ 21 Jul 2026 57
Loyalty is something the president of the United States demands and thinks is important.

You will need to grow up and realize that your first duty of loyalty is to your constituents, not other politicians.
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So, Starmer and McSweeney have discovered that if you live by the sword you die by the sword?

Cry me a river.