Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has officially announced his candidacy for the Labour leadership, contingent on winning the Makerfield by-election. During a BBC Question Time special, Burnham noted that Wes Streeting has initiated a leadership contest, and he intends to participate if he secures victory in Makerfield. Current polling data shows Burnham leading with 49% support, a six-point increase, while his Reform opponent, Robert Kenyon, trails at 39%. Despite his popularity in the region, Burnham faces challenges, particularly given the constituency's support for Brexit and the strong performance of Reform in recent local elections. He addressed concerns about policing, advocating for a review of guidance that treats ethnic minorities differently, and emphasized the importance of neutral policing. Meanwhile, Kenyon, criticized for past comments on social media, defended himself against allegations of sexism, asserting his respect for women. The Survation poll also highlighted lower support for other candidates, with Rebecca Shepherd of Restore Britain at 8% and Sarah Wakefield of the Green Party at 2%.