Burnham's No 10 bid exposed as two-tier policing row dominates Makerfield debate

Andy Burnham finally dropped the pretence last night. The former Manchester mayor confirmed what many have long suspected, that he intends to challenge for the leadership of the Labour Party and, by extension, the keys to Number 10. It was the moment the Makerfield by-election television debate shifted from local concerns to something far bigger, and far more troubling for those who believe in the quiet sovereignty of the British ballot box.

A back door to Downing Street

However hard the BBC and some panellists attempted to steer the conversation back to constituency matters, the evening revolved around Burnham. Jake Austin, the Liberal Democrat candidate, said what many were thinking, that this by-election has become a vehicle for electing a prime minister