Lucy Fisher

And above that, there are people that don't back any particular horse in the race, but think it's right that anyone who wants to put themselves up for the job of being prime minister and party leader should have a little bit more scrutiny of their ideas, should have their policy platform established,

tested in the milieu of a contest.

So it's not a done deal, but it's certainly an option on the table that things could move fairly quickly within weeks.

It's worth stressing that there's still some debate in Team Burnham about whether it would be beneficial to wait until the autumn, perhaps September, the party conference for the baton to be handed over, because they're aware that that first 100-day sprint in government is all important to gain momentum and

And having just that little extra breathing room in order to firm up their policy platform would be helpful.

Good morning.

It's as clear as mud at the moment.

Briefings have suggested it could be as early as 2am or as late as 5am.

But as ever, particularly if it is a tight contest, recounts could delay things.

So we'll have to wait and see.

Certainly by the time of people having their breakfast tomorrow, the results should be very clear.

It's not a done deal.

I myself spent two days in the seat last week and found many reform voters on the ground.

I also met many Restore voters.

And of course, not to say, you know, my, you know, 48 hours there was scientific.

But there is this expectation potentially that Restore could split the right wing bloc.

and therefore allow Burnham to come through the middle.

As you say, you know, Reform won all the council seats there just last month.

So it will be a big gamble paying off for Burnham if he wins to show that, you know, his personal brand and popularity can massively boost the Labour Party.

And we expect, you know, if he can win locally, he will then use that argument to say, I can beat Reform in a constituency and make me leader and I'll do the same with the country.