‘He Is Just RIDICULOUS’ | Starmer Wants Andy Burnham To Have ‘Big Role’ In Govt

There's lots I want to talk about and I want to start in a different way because at seven o 'clock we had Ben Habib and I questioned Ben quite, quite, not forcibly but quite directly about something I read last weekend and there's a reason I want to ask you this because this comes up from my viewers and listeners repeatedly.Ben set up Advance, Rupert Lowe set up Restore, he came on this morning and I said is it true that you've said you'll step aside and go to somebody light low, and he said, yes, yes, yes.And then I said to him, but a lot of the criticism over the weekend about Rupert Lowe's Restore Party is that it's social media -based, it's Musk -supported, and there has been infiltration of all sorts of people, which he acknowledged to be the case.But when I tell you the next thing, I know what you're going to say, but I have to do it for the people.Everybody, in a different way, is increasingly saying the same thing.If tomorrow, the right, without going into detail, shoots itself in the foot by splinter groups getting a percentage and taking away from reform the chance to defeat Burnham.

Burnham will presumably stand to be the leader.Does the right need to learn the lesson for further down the line that unless they get their heads together, right, we are going to have yet more years of this disastrous left -wing government?I think it's a question that needs to be asked, pal.

sure and the simple answer is that if you're concerned about that there's only one party to vote for and that's reform and if your scenario happens it shows that um vote any other party on the right and you get labour time and time again the whole The whole scene has shifted and moved on.We've won over 330 national polls by a significant margin.And anybody who wants a party of the right to save this country's economy, to save our society and our culture has to coalesce.around reform.It is as simple as that.And sure, not everyone is going to agree with everything that any of the leadership teams say.

Frankly, life would be boring if you did agree with everything everyone says.But on an overall basis, We represent the future.The Tories had their chance.They blew it.Their brand is literally toxic.

Does it frustrate you that reform has the base, it's led in those 300 polls, and yet splinter groups, primarily, many critics are saying, led on social media, are taking, if we believe and we don't know, are making a little bit of an impact which could affect the bigger result.Or, as I said to your leader last week, and he actually said you might be right, If that happens, might that be a good moment that focuses certain voters' minds on the only way of getting rid of Labour is to do what you just said?Maybe there's a sting in the tail.Maybe there's a sting in the tail.

Sometimes we all need a wake -up call in life, and who knows how this plays out.But for those who are concerned about it, there is a very simple solution.Vote tactically, vote reform, every single time.There's only one party that Labour are fearful of, and that is reform.That's why they come at us every day in the Commons as much or more than the Conservatives.So you can see what's going on.

And the whole reason there's a leadership contest in the Labour Party about to erupt is because they know that Starmer's hopeless.and that he can't beat reform.

I'm going to talk to you about the Labour Party in a minute but of course as the most and sexiest looking politician now the messages are draining and this is Linda who says the name's Tice, Richard Tice, god's sake.Jim saysgood old Richard in Ticing.God.And Paula says, sorry, Matt Vickers is much better looking than old man Tice.Do you want to respond to that?

I'm going to have a word with Vickers later.Yeah, well, Vickers, I can't imagine he'd win any poll with that goatee little beard.Now, I must be a mind reader, because we were talking with Dan Hodges in some detail, a great piece of his in the Mail today, about how, which I don't know if you've read, but it says that when Starmer arrives at Chequers on Friday, he's going to be met on his desk with a bottle of whiskey and a revolver, because the shenanigans are about to begin when he returns from the G7 summit.do not believe that it is the stitch -up or the coronation that many people are believing.And you, my friend, as I've been trailing all morning, have some information and a belief and a thought on this.

I do.I think that whether or not Burnham wins on Thursday, other people will join this contest.And I think people should expect to hear a leadership challenge either by John Healey or by Alcarnes or some variant of a joint bid.But the Commons tearooms are abuzz with the rumour that John Healey's camp has got the 81 votes necessary to enter a bid.That is the inside track from the Houses of Parliament.

And isn't it interesting as well if you strip it down and you think that the King of the North, in brackets, self -styled, close brackets, is preening and walking around, you know, apparently talking about policy and cabinet positions.But I wonder whether there will be Labour MPs in the red wall that reform has done very well in, who will go, if we drift to the left still further with higher taxation and wedo all the things, you know, get closer to the EU, the British public aren't going to buy that.That is not the way to take on reform and I wonder, and I said it myself and you said it to me yesterday, whether they might fly behind somebody like John Healey, who I think is probably liked more across the political spectrum in the House and respected far more than anybody else that used to be or is on the Labour frontbench.And because these things happen in politics, don't they, Richard?It's never a done deal.

No one should be complacent about this.And as I sat in the chamber yesterday listening to the personal statements, which were utterly eviscerating by both John Healey and Al Khan, who in your picture is sitting just on the left side of John Healey, over John Healey's right shoulder, and there were a lot of MPs around them.There were more MPs coalescing and sitting around John Healey and Al Khans than there were when Wes Streeting gave his statement.and I just think that should be noted.I suspect that Healey's stroke Cairns are taking votes away from West Street who I don't think will get towards the 81 votes.

Well I'm going to play you something because I've got a really strong belief on this.This was Wesley yesterday being grilled on the BBC.Have a watch Richard.

You say you already have 81 backers.How do you know you've got 81?Like, have you got it in the notes on your phone?Have you got a list?How do you know you've got 81 backers today?

Yeah, so talking to colleagues, keeping records, keeping a spreadsheet.And you've got those today?Yeah, and keeping those conversations going at all times, because this is a fast -moving situation.

Dave, good morning.Hey Joseph, Dave from Hertfordshire here.This thing about Wes Streeton and his 81 names,I'd love to play poker against Wes Streeton.I think he's bluffing.He hasn't got it.

I mean, what kind of politician, tactician are you?would say, I've got 81 names already, but I'm going to wait for Andy Burnham to possibly come in and basically throw me out the window.Wouldn't it be better if he sees Andy Burnham as a massive threat to his political goals?Wouldn't it be better to actually trigger that before he actually got in?Hmm.

I don't believe he's got 81, do you, Richard?

Don't.I never did, really.And that's why I think Dave's spot on.He would have triggered it.His excuse was he should wait until the end of the by -election.Tactically, I just don't buy it.

And even if he did, I think some of them will peel away towards a defence -led campaign by the likes of Healey and or Al -Qaeda.

And just to repeat for people tuning in, you You believe that John Healey has 81 as it stands?

That is the rumour that is going around the Houses of Parliament that Healey, and I include within that a sort of an Al Khan's related interest, that collectively they've got 81 and I think I think it's going to be a very, very interesting week ahead because whatever happens on this by -election, Cabinet Ministers are going to threaten to resign over the weekend unless the current Prime Minister sets out a timetable for his departure.I mean, I called for him to resign this time last week at PMQs.He didn't like it.But basically, the Labour MPs, they know the writing's on the wall.and they're all looking pretty glum.

It's really interesting isn't it?I was accused of being a mind reader because I said something at about half past seven and a half.behold we heard the breaking news with Beth Rigby half an hour ago.Keir Starmer has just announced that he wants to offer Andy Burnham a cabinet role in his government if he wins Makerfield.I mean, talk about hanging on by your fingertips.Dan Hodges made the point, if Andy Burnham went, oh, I'll be Foreign Secretary, everybody who's been going on about it for years about standing, he'd be humiliated.

He's not going to accept a job in cabinet, is he?

The whole thing's ridiculous.But first and foremost, our job is to ensure that he doesn't become an MP by making sure that our great candidate wins tomorrow.That's our objective.That's what we're focused on.And that's where I'll be later today.

Two other questions.I'd love your response to this in the mail.I can't wait to see the sexiest politician in England's response.In the half million people who now claim PIP, you can get a benefit payout for something you've never had any of these, because you're just James Bond -esque, but acne, bed wetting, constipation, and tennis elbow.That's who we're giving money to, Richard.I mean, what the hell, man?

Seriously.

But who started it?The Tories started this.That's why we've ended up in the pickle that we're in.And the guy who started it at the Tories is now their shadow chancellor.So that's why their brand is toxic.Labour have just continued it.

And it's only reform that has the courage to say, you know, all of those things are not ideal, clearly.Anxiety is not ideal.Guess what?When we go to work and we work hard, we get anxiety.It's actually part of life.It's part of growing up.

and a bit of anxiety makes you perform better, whether it's at work, whether it's on the sports field, or whatever.

We used to call it adrenaline.

Even you broadcasting, a bit of anxiety for you makes you perform better.

Well, there's no chance of me ever performing better.I think it's genuinely, we used to call it adrenaline, nerves, pre -show, whatever.Honestly, to be able tojust...And you don't even have to see these people face -to -face, Rich, right?So you can just go, oh, I'm feeling anxious and get six months off.

The British people won't buy that anymore.It's about time that somebody did something about that.I've only got two minutes, two questions.The Russian warship firing at the OAPs who are on a booze cruise on their way.Lots of people have said this actually speaks of dangerous escalation.What are your thoughts on this?

Well, it does.And what Russia is essentially doing is, is testing the resolve of the UK government at a time when they know that we're underfunding our defence.We've got a leadership crisis.And it's just a sort of, it's a response to the quite correct seizure of the shadow tanker over the weekend.And yeah, you know, Russia are, Russia are pushing us.But you know, the best form of deterrence is to have a strong defense, and the best way to guarantee peace is prepare for war.

It's tough to say, but it's the harsh reality of life.

Couldn't agree more.Later on tonight, England kick off World Cup 2026.We know you're a massive football fan.Obviously, you won't be drinking beer.You'll have a martini.Shake or not stirred, Mr Bond.

Are you going to be watching the game?

I hope to be, yes, subject to the trains.But yes, I'm looking forward to watch the game and come on England.

And do I say to the future Mrs Tice, when I speak to you in ten minutes, that you're taking Kemi Bednark out for dinner or not?You don't want me to say that?No.

All right.I'll leave it.All right, Trey.Thanks a lot.Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform.

Here's a list by the Webby candidates for Makerfield.

Jake Austen stands for the Liberal Democrats.Count Binface for his own party, Count Binface Party.Andy Burnham, of course, the Labour Party.Dan Clark, the Libertarian Party.John Dyer for the Independents.Ed Gemmill, the Climate Party.

Paul Gould, the Independent.Alan Howling, Lord Hope.The officialMonster Raving Loony Party, Robert Kenyon, Reform UK, Robert Pownall, Protect the Wild, Rebecca Shepard, Restore Britain, Sarah Wakefield, the Green Party, Peter Ward, Rejoin the EU and Michael Wis Stanley, the Conservative Party.That's your list of candidates.