Who are Andy Burnham’s key aides and allies?

Andy Burnham applauds during the launch of his campaign for the Makerfield byelection triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons, an ally. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters

Andy Burnham may have big ambitions, but the team charged with propelling him to parliament is tiny and run on a shoestring. One person involved said it was operating in a “hand-to-mouth” way, staffed mostly by volunteers and MPs on the soft left who want to see Burnham return.

Those who know the Greater Manchester mayor say he has been thinking about re-entering parliament for a long time, and wants to bring his creed of “Manchesterism” to the national stage.