Once Andy Burnham said he wanted to contest the Gorton and Denton by-election, Keir Starmer was left with only bad choices. Letting Burnham run risked fuelling speculation he could mount a leadership challenge - and removed an obstacle to him doing so, as only MPs can stand to be leader. Add to that the prospect of fighting an unexpected mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester when Labour already faces difficult elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils in May. Terrible results for