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Streeting backs Burnham for return to Westminster, saying he is Labour’s best chance of winning byelection – UK politics live

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has voiced his support for Andy Burnham to compete in the Makerfield byelection, describing him as one of Labour’s “best players on the pitch”. In a post on X, Streeting, a potential Labour leadership challenger, said: double quotation mark We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them. The Makerfield byelection will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person. If successful, Burnham is widely expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the party leadership.