'Andy Burnham's universal appeal could be key to stopping Nigel Farage in 2029'

Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham creating a national buzz around himself is his key to No 10.

Likeability, hope and optimism are ballot box winners’ votes and a White House veteran who worked for Obama and Biden identified the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield’s universal allure as a great asset. I have long thought the old joke about a Blairite, Brownite and Corbynite going into a pub and the landlord saying “Hello, Andy” signified a lack of fixed convictions that was a damaging weakness.

However, told the quip in London a few days ago, the American strategist exclaimed: “That’s brilliant because he’ll appeal to so many people.” Maybe it could be that Burnham’s secret weapon is being whoever a voter wants him to be, the stunning Makerfield victory scoring 55% of the vote, outpolling all dozen rivals combined, certainly a broad base.

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Andy Burnham faces a big few weeks(Image: AFP via Getty Images)