Politics latest: Burnham handed two major boosts in bid to return as MP and challenge Starmer

Andy Burnham will be allowed to stand in Labour’s candidate selection process for the Makerfield by-election, taking him a step closer to challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the party.

The Greater Manchester mayor announced on Thursday he was seeking to return to Westminster, after Labour MP Josh Simons agreed to step down.

Education secretary Bridget Philipson told BBC Radio 4’s The Week in Westminster programme that Mr Burnham would be a “strong candidate” but said Sir Keir had her “full support”.

Wes Streeting said the Makerfield by-election, expected to be a battle against Reform UK, “will be tough” as he touted Mr Burnham as one of Labour’s “best players.”

The former health secretary’s allies say he will run in any potential Labour leadership contest despite his glowing endorsement that Mr Burnham is Labour’s “best chance of winning” the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Streeting dramatically quit his ministerial role on Thursday and is now widely expected to mount a leadership challenge.

Allies of Mr Streeting confirmed to The Independent: "Wes will be a candidate when the contest comes".