If the Gorton and Denton seat becomes available, Burnham would need approval to run from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) a body which is generally seen as being supportive of Sir Keir.

Several Labour sources said they expected the NEC to object on the grounds that Burnham standing for Parliament would in turn trigger a by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, which would be seen as a drain on party funds as well as politically risky.

Thoughts? Should Andy Burnham try to challenge Sir Keir? Would this help the country at all?