Andy Burnham will want the launch of his Makerfield by-election campaign on Friday to focus heavily on local issues, ensuring voters on the ground don’t feel like a stepping stone for his potential shot at winning the keys to Downing Street.
However, every word of his speech and subsequent questions from the media will be meticulously poured over for any hints of what a Burnham premiership might actually look like.
Behind the scenes, an active debate is already underway regarding how far Burnham should depart from Keir Starmer’s legislative agenda – much of which he is understood to agree with.
Shorts
Straying too far risks fracturing party unity and intensifying opposition calls for an immediate general election.
