ANDY Burnham and Nicola Sturgeon have been engaged in a war of words which has attracted the eyes of the entire UK media.
Burnham first attacked the SNP leader after she announced a travel ban between Scotland and the English cities of Manchester and Salford due to their high Covid rates.
He claimed there was no warning, and is demanding compensation for those from his area who may have lost out on travel bookings due to the rule change.
In response, the First Minister has suggested that Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is aiming to raise his profile by attacking her on a national stage.
READ MORE: Murdo Fraser under fire for telling people to come to Scotland despite ban
Sturgeon says this could be a ploy to help in a rumoured third attempt at the Labour leadership from the former member of Gordon Brown’s cabinet.
But Burnham refutes this allegation. He says he aims to be nothing more than a successful mayor of his metropolitan area.
So why the war? Is it a comment on the differing powers of a devolved mayor and a devolved nation? A power struggle for the UK’s north?
Lesley Riddoch looks at all of this, and asks: what is really happening behind the scenes in the public battle between Burnham and Sturgeon?
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel