Our problem with Michael Marra's 'je ne regrette rien' stance on Andy Burnham jibe
Good manners cost nothing and might just be a political masterstroke in our troubled times
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Type “Is Michael Marra” into Google and the top AI suggestion to complete the question is “still an MSP”, which is presumably rather disappointing for the member for the North East Scotland region, given he’s standing to become Scottish Labour leader. So it’s perhaps understandable that he feels the need to try to talk tough, ruffle a few feathers, and remind people of his existence.
After delivering a speech on party unity, some wag asked Marra about his potentially rather divisive decision to tell Andy Burnham to “shut up”. Channelling his inner Édith Piaf, he insisted he’d no regrets.
You may have forgotten this clearly seismic moment in the Labour psychodrama surrounding attempts to oust Keir Starmer in September last year, when Burnham was mayor of Manchester but openly flirting with the idea of moving to Downing Street.
We’d like to remind Marra that “please be quiet” is the polite way to convey this sentiment. Admittedly, pleas for civility in politics tend to fall on deaf ears but, in our troubled times, might not that be a way to truly stand out from the crowd? Manners maketh Marra?
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