Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection doesn’t simply mark the return of one of Labour’s most recognisable figures to parliament. With his clear ambitions to lead his party – and the country – it may also represent a landmark moment in English devolution. His thumping win – taking 55% of the votes and more than Restore UK and Reform Britain combined – means the political significance of metro mayors has never been higher.

For much of the post-war era, ambitious British politicians followed a familiar path. Success meant climbing the Westminster ladder through ministerial office, shadow cabinet positions and party leadership contests. Burnham’s career has taken a more unusual route.

First elected as MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester in 2001, Burnham quickly established himself as one of Labour’s rising stars. Following his re-election in 2005, he embarked on a run of ministerial and shadow ministerial appointments, serving in cabinet under Gordon Brown and later holding senior opposition roles. By the mid-2010s he appeared to be a perennial contender for the Labour leadership, finishing fourth to Ed Miliband in 2010 and later competing in the contest won by Jeremy Corbyn in 2015.

At that point, Burnham’s political trajectory appeared to have stalled. Yet his decision to leave Westminster and contest the new Greater Manchester mayoralty in 2017 would ultimately transform his fortunes.

What initially looked like a retreat from national politics became an opportunity for political reinvention. As mayor, Burnham acquired something that many Westminster politicians lack: executive authority over a place.

While the powers of England’s metro........

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