A poll this weekend by More in Common and the UCL Policy Lab puts Andy Burnham on 45 per cent, with Reform's Robert Kenyon on 40 per cent and Restore on 8 per cent.

The Greater Manchester mayor is Labour's candidate in the seat as he seeks a return to Westminster before launching a bid to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

If Reform and Restore's vote shares were added together, the right would overtake Labour and quash Mr Burnham's dreams of returning to Parliament.