The first weekend of campaigning is set to get under way in Makerfield, in a by-election that Andy Burnham said could ‘change Labour.’
Mr Burnham, who is viewed as a challenger to Sir Keir Starmer in a potential Labour leadership race, launched his by-election campaign on Friday and promised he was not offering ‘more of the same.’
Allies of Mr Burnham have suggested he may not launch a bid for the party leadership immediately if he is successful in his attempt to return to Parliament in the June 18 contest.
But Wes Streeting, who resigned from the Cabinet earlier this month, has openly talked about launching a campaign to oust Prime Minister Sir Keir.
The MP and former health secretary told reporters on Friday that he held off triggering a leadership race to give Mr Burnham time to tread a path back into the Commons.
In a pitch to voters, Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham said: “I know my own party needs to change. We need to be better than we have been.
“A vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour.”
