The Labour leadership contender who will campaign for Burnham in by-election race

Angela Rayner will appear on the campaign trail to support Andy Burnham in the crucial Makerfield by-election, The i Paper understands.

The move by the ex-deputy prime minister will fuel speculation that she is positioning herself for a top Cabinet position if Burnham becomes prime minister – though Rayner has not yet ruled out standing for the leadership herself.

Both Rayner and Burnham are in the so-called ‘soft left’ wing of Labour, and there have been rumours that the pair could strike a pact to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.

Now, a source close to the former Labour deputy has told The i Paper that she would campaign for Burnham in the run-up to the Makerfield by-election on 18 June.

The source said: “You can expect her to be up there at some point.”