Labour management dwell: Brexit battle begins as Burnham and Streeting camps bid to succeed Keir Starmer

Nandy told Sky News this morning: “If rejoining the EU is the answer, then essentially what we’re saying to people is ‘life was fine in 2015, we just need to go back there’.

“I know Wes is coming up to campaign in the by-election quite soon. He will hear loud and clear from people in places like Wigan, Ashton, Winstanley, across Makerfield, that that is absolutely not the case. And the answer has to be bigger.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is meanwhile “squarely focused” on issues such as the cost of living and transport, Ms Nandy said, adding this is “exactly where we need to be”.