91Èȱ¬

So the shadow Health Secretary and MP for Leigh, , has scraped the nominations and is through to the .

He will be a distinctive voice.

Many of his Parliamentary supporters are from the North West. His presence will ensure issues affecting the region will be debated on the campaign trail.

But he told me today that he would not have stood if another MP had stepped forward.

That man is , the Shadow 91Èȱ¬ Secretary. Mr Johnson is from a similar working class background and also has a natural gift for communicating with voters.

Apparently Mr Burnham feared splitting the articulate, working class vote.

But of course Alan Johnson decided not to stand and Mr Burnham seized the opportunity instead.

That late start might help explain why he has struggled to gain momentum in this race.

But does it also mean Andy Burnham thinks Alan Johnson would have made a better leader?

He says not, though he could hardly say anything else.

I wonder if Alan Johnson knows of this support and respect? It doesn't seem to have made a huge impression - he is backing .

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