Burnham's won Manchester.

As an anecdotal example, something I used to hear a lot but (thankfully) haven't for several years is "I vote Labour cos me dad did, and 'is dad before 'im" - which incidentally is just about the most moronic reason to vote for anyone.

Massive numbers of people follow their parents' voting habits and not just Labour supporters.
After losing power, Miliband was the wrong man and voted in with block votes.

In a sense, Labour are getting what they deserve.
The main problem now is, that, The Tories without meaningful opposition and with carte blanche to do what they want will cripple the poor sod's at the bottom of the pile.

You do realise not to take it to to heart so much as you get older and that it's all just a game anyway.

Labour's has lots of problems. One is the calibre of their front liners. That gobby tart on QT last night just comes across as an ignorant yob. Like most Labour MPs, when a question about finance came up she showed a complete lack of understanding. I believe she asked Davis what the minimum (not maximum) divorce bill he'd accept in Brexit talks! That after floundering and being unable to answer the question as put to her. Diane Abbott the other day too. No credibility and people see that.

The other problem Labour has as well as the General one if not representing anybody us that they are always out of step with the public as a whole on the big issues - Brexit and immigration being two.

The Labour front bench is made up from "leftovers".
All of the "first choice" shadow cabinet have distanced themselves from Corbyn as he was deemed unfit by the parliamentary party, who were of course right.
However, their "leader" was not only democratically elected but, also re-elected, after the vote of no confidence.
Corbyn does seem principled, in a way the T.May will never be but, his appeal is so narrow that he will never hold power.

I work on various contracts to do with homelessness/welfare to work/mental health in the North.

It's not a game - these policies have real, significant and often devastating impact on peoples lives.

Sounds like your stuck on the hamster wheel right in the middle of the game.
You'll see one day.

Ands it sounds like you've never been there or, not known where your next meal may be coming from.
God help you if you ever actually need any help from social services as a pensioner, person with mental health issues or maybe, education.
The Tory ethos is to keep what you earn, look after yourself and bugger the rest whilst at the same time avoid paying your taxes by any means possible and with the kind of majority that May will have at the next election those with least, will have even less.

Although there are people who abuse the system, you really should try being down there

Hardly surprising given the ' rag tag ' bunch of no hopers up against him

He's a good bloke and will do a good job , when the loony lefties started shoving crazy Corbyn to the top of the Labour leader contest Andy knew labours potential to rule was gone for the next decade , so can't blame him for looking elsewhere to show his talents

I'll tell you what I see today?

Women fleeing domestic violence with kids stuck in a hostel room next to a convicted paedophile.

A vulnerable disabled man in local authority accommodation who has a succession of heroin addicts forcing their way into his house to steal his medication and cash. No other suitable accommodation to move him to so he has to stay.

Youngsters who start work on a 0 hrs contract getting signed off benefit, getting laid off after a week and having a 6 week wait for income.

Apprenticeships in "Retail services" which basically means paying some poor sap £130 a week to stack shelves instead of giving him minimum wage.

1 month sanctions for being 5 mins late to an appointment, leaving people with nothing to live on.

Job centres that don't help you to find work, merely manage punishments for not doing so.

I could go on and on, but this has magnified in the last 7 years. It is not a game.

You missed:
People on welfare getting upwards of 20k in benefits

No sanctions for people who abuse the NHS e.g. they don't bother turning up for appointments or the visit A&E with a problem that could be sorted out with a visit to the chemist. Perhaps if this was sorted there would be more money for your pet projects.

Kids who physically abuse teachers and in some cases kill them - no sanctions on the parents who have completely neglected their primary responsibility.

Record monies pumped into health, education and welfare.

ying/yang