Andy Burnham, the man who would be king

The Greater Manchester mayor has made no secret of his Labour leadership ambitions, but faces significant obstacles

When Andy Burnham addressed a gala dinner this week, he was as coy as he could have been in a week when speculation about his future ambitions were in overdrive. I love this job," the mayor of Greater Manchester said. I am very happy where I am. I have no ambition to be ... ambassador to Washington."

It was a gag that got a big laugh. Burnham has never played the game of pretending that he doesn't seek to enter No 10. But he also does not give the standard ambitious politician's response of saying that no vacancy is available.