Andy Burnham had to use his prime-time TV moment to achieve two things: show the country he can be a statesman on a par with Sir Keir Starmer, but maintain his doorstep, everyman appeal for the voters of Makerfield and the Labour party membership.
His refusal to wear a shirt collar may lose him points on the former, but his words on BBC’s Question Time will have boosted the latter.
It is not exactly a secret that Burnham wants to challenge Starmer for leader, but he has finally confirmed that, if or when there is a contest, he will stand alongside Wes Streeting and potentially the Prime Minister himself.
Shorts
But there was also a proper retail offer of a policy floated for voters both in Makerfield and across the country: the mayor revealed he is looking at increasing the income tax personal allowance – a sure-fire winner on the doorstep.
