While Starmer choked out a valedictory PMQs, Burnham orchestrated a bloodless coup. Hunt’s old punching bag hasn’t just dodged the ropes; he’s bought the gym.

There is a bleak comedy in the arrogance of the dispatch box. In 2013, Jeremy Hunt leaned across the Commons and addressed the shadow health secretary with the pained, sorrowful condescension of a prep school headmaster. “You made big mistakes, Andy,” he sighed, “it’s time you admitted it.”

Fast forward thirteen years, and 'Andy' has bypassed the confession box altogether. While Keir Starmer choked out a valedictory PMQs following a brutal defenestration by his own MPs, Burnham orchestrated a bloodless coup. Dispensing with the tedious necessity of a general election or even a party membership contest, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has ridden a wave of union backing straight to the steps of Number 10.

One wonders if Burnham will finally take Hunt's advice about admitting mistakes. Frankly, he seems rather busy. Between ruling out immediate wealth taxes to soothe the City and aggressively anointing Shabana Mahmood as his chancellor over a purportedly 'risky' Ed Miliband, the incoming Prime Minister is writing the rules as he goes. Hunt’s old punching bag hasn’t just dodged the ropes; he’s bought the gym.

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