Wes Streeting says it explicitly:
“We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.
The Makerfield by-election 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.”
It’s the dealmaking period…
Lord Khan in the Telegraph: “I hope, and I say this in a non-pompous way, that the public service I do will bring rewards in this world and the hereafter,” he says. “I’m hoping the work I do is earning me Brownie points.”