Is Andy Burnham having trouble putting clear teal water between himself and Nigel Farage, following comments calling for a tougher stance on immigration?
Sam Coates has more from Manchester on the state of the Burnham leadership campaign.
Meanwhile, Anne McElvoy delves deeper into the defence dilemma – with military chiefs still reportedly in the dark over the contents of the Defence Investment Plan.
As Defence Secretary John Healey prepares to argue that Britain needs to build more military equipment at home, questions remain over whether the government has the money and political will to fund its ambition.
Plus, the duo check in on the latest polling numbers – did Reform UK’s bold response to the Henry Nowak killing fail to resonate with voters?
You can see a full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.