Migration is a moral issue for Burnham – but he also wants to tell a positive story

While PM is keen to support those making a contribution his backing of Shabana Mahmood’s hard line is no surprise

While out on the campaign trail in Makerfield, Andy Burnham gave a glimpse into where he might land on Labour’s plans for immigration reform, which had already been decried by the left of the party as unfair and the right as electorally necessary.

Asked by the Guardian what he thought of Reform’s attack on “open borders Andy” – Nigel Farage’s early attempt to define him as soft on migration – the then Manchester mayor dismissed the charge as “ridiculous” and went on the defensive.