The $30 million toe in the water

Peter Kyle,the Business Secretary, has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at Andy Burnham as tensions continue to rise amid Labour's bitter leadership battle.

The apparent dig at Mr Burnham came as the Greater Manchester mayor continued his campaign in the Makerfield by-election, as he bids to return to Westminster.

Mr Kyle warned that entitlement is not a qualification for leadership in comments that appeared to be directed at Mr Burnham.

He added that British politics rewards the wrong behaviour as he cautioned against crediting those who want to thrust themselves forward at moments of instability.

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Mr Kyle's comments came as Labour's dismal election results across Scotland , Wales and English councils last month plunged the Prime Minister's future into fresh jeopardy.

The Business Secretary urged Labour MPs to learn lessons from when the Tories had five different premiers in just over six years.

He also agreed that he could be styled as Labour's Queen of the South in cotnrast to Mr Burnham , who is known as the party's King of the North .

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Mr Kyle's comments have sparked questions about who will replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to go on and challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership with a view to replacing him in Downing Street.

However, Mr Kyle's thinly-veiled swipe at Mr Burnham suggests that he may not be the only contender for the Labour leadership.

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Mr Kyle's comments have also raised questions about the qualifications for leadership in Labour.

He warned that entitlement is not a qualification for leadership, and that Labour MPs should focus on a programme of government rather than individual personalities.

However, his comments have been seen as a thinly-veiled swipe at Mr Burnham, who is known for his strong personality and leadership style.

Mr Kyle's comments have sparked a heated debate about the qualifications for leadership in Labour, and whether entitlement is a key factor.