Burnham starts byelection campaign with thinly veiled pitch for No 10

Key points

• Andy Burnham has formally launched his campaign for the Makerfield byelection with a barely coded pitch for Downing Street, saying a vote for him to become the MP there was “a vote to change Labour”.
• While not explicitly saying that he would seek to replace Keir Starmer, the Greater Manchester mayor used a speech to Labour MPs and activists in the constituency, followed by questions from the media, to lay out a series of national policy views, including on economy, immigration and electoral reform.
• Asked if he would want Starmer to campaign locally for him, Burnham dodged the question, telling reporters only that “anyone who agrees with me” would be welcome.
• While Burnham said he would commit to sticking by Labour’s manifesto pledges on spending and taxation, if he was prime minister he would reprioritise large sums of money, including devoting all of a £39bn fund for affordable housing to...