Sky News came to a sudden halt for the latest development within the Labour government. Sky News presenter Samantha Washington announced that Wes Streeting has said that Andy Burnham "is the best chance of winning" the Makerfield by-election for Labour. The former health secretary sensationally resigned from his cabinet role, and issued a damning letter telling Sir Keir the nation doesn't know "who we are or what we really stand for".

Meanwhile, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham plans to return to Westminster as an MP, which would allow him to stand for the Labour leadership and potentially become prime minister. Now, Streeting has backed Burnham returning to Westminster, writing on X: "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."

Sharing further details on the breaking update, Sky News political correspondent Lucy McDaid said: "Could you read into this that Wes Streeting is thinking to form some kind of deal with Andy Burnham or on the other hand, is he thinking is it better for there to be an all-out contest with all of the candidates that people want to see?

"What is interesting is we are seeing more and more people coming out and saying Andy Burnham should be allowed to stand in that contest in Makerfield. The prime minister himself thinks exactly that."

Despite the clear divide within the Labour Party at the moment, McDaid believes many of them will be "breathing a sigh of relief" knowing that Burnham can stand in the by-election.

Although the NEC are yet to confirm, McDaid observed: "All roads look like they are leading to Andy Burnham. I think it becomes incredibly difficult for them to reject his desire to stand as a candidate."

She highlighted the other obstacles Burnham must face, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has warned Labour that his party will aim to make sure Burnham is not elected as an MP.

McDaid went on: "The feeling is now that Keir Starmer is hanging on by a thread and we could be in a situation where Andy Burnham becomes prime minister by coronation.

"If he's allowed to stand in this by-election and wins, he then comes back to Westminister. Does he then trigger a leadership contest? Does anybody choose to stand against this man? You speak to people who have worked with him and he's called 'The King of the North'. It's humorous the way that this man is talked about by people who back him.

"Will anybody decide to contest him?"