Why this provocation when obstacles aplenty were already in Burnham’s way, with no easy route to No 10? Even those who are not particularly his supporters see how boldly he was ready to hazard his political career on an uncertain byelection at a time of wild political volatility. He could have lost to Reform or to the Greens, or been hindered by a pro-Gaza independent, and that would have finished him politically. But he had a good chance of winning: now, if that seat gifts Nigel Farage his ninth MP, excoriating blame will fall on Starmer.