Andy Burnham has not yet won the Makerfield by-election and yet many people in Westminster have already written off the leadership hopes of Wes Streeting – should there be a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.
The former health secretary’s poll ratings have worsened since he resigned a month ago. Bookmakers give him a 16-1 chance of becoming the next Labour leader, way behind Burnham, whose odds are 1-3.
Yet, Streeting is refusing on a point of principle to “roll over and let Andy have his coronation,” as one journalist suggested he should do this week.
Shorts
Burnham is confident in winning Thursday’s crunch by-election in Makerfield, which would give the Greater Manchester Mayor a seat in Parliament, and challenge the Prime Minister for the Labour leadership.
