FRONTRUNNER in the labour leadership contest Andy Burnham has pledged that his actions "will always benefit the people of Leigh".

Speaking exclusively to the Leigh Journal, MP Andy Burnham vowed that he would not be standing for Labour leader if he did not have the support of Leigh.

After Chuka Umunna stood down from the race, Mr Burnham is now the favourite to lead the Labour Party and says he believes he can win.

Mr Burnham said: "I want to say first and foremost, thank you to the people of Leigh for putting their trust in me again.

"Everything that I do in politics comes from their support.

"I couldn't do anything without the backing of them, they are my foundations.

"Leigh is what keeps my feet on the ground."

Andy Burnham has been Labour MP for Leigh since 2001 and was voted in again on May 7 with a landslide victory, gaining 24,312 votes to secure Labour's 94th year in power in Leigh.

He stood for leadership of the party, coming fourth to Ed Miliband, in 2010, and has since held a number of positions in Gordon Brown's government, rising to be secretary of state for health from June, 2009, until the 2010 election, a shadow role he continued in opposition.

He added: "If I were to become Labour leader I would not move to London.

"I may be the first politician that does that, but I would make that my virtue.

"Enough of politics is lost to the south.

"In terms of my Come Back to Leigh campaign, all the commitments that I made stand, and not just in Leigh, but in Golborne and Tyldesley.

"We are going to take advantage of the guided busway, which I know has not always had the support from Leigh residents, but it is an opportunity for Leigh.

"I am also going to throw all my weight behind getting Leigh linked up with the rail network.

"I am a better MP because of the people that I represent.

"I don't presume to always have their support, but I wouldn't be doing this if I thought they did not want me to."

Mr Burnham will be standing against Liz Kendall, Mary Creagh and Yvette Cooper for Labour leader and says he sympathises with Chuka Umunna after he dropped out of the running.

He said: "I do feel confident and I feel that I can win, but I am not complacent.

"The Labour party has a big choice to make and I will respect the decision that they make.

"I feel sorry for Chuka because I understand what he is going through.

"Stepping over the line again, I know what that means in terms of pressure on your family.

"The last time I stood, my wife was in hospital having an operation and I understand the level of media attention and pressure that comes with this job.

"I do sympathise with Chuka because you shouldn't have to chose between your family and your career.

"And it will be tough, there is no doubt about that, but I am doing this for the right reasons.

"Leigh, Bolton, the north west, they will all be let down if we leave the country to the Tories and if we let UKIP carry on.

"We need a strong Labour party and I hope that I can lead them to that for the 2020 election."

Andy Burnham has become the odds-on favourite with William Hill to win the race to become the next Labour leader.

They cut Mr Burnham's odds from 5/4 to 10/11 favourite, ahead of 3/1 Liz Kendall and 10/3 Yvette Cooper as political punters weighed in with substantial bets on him.

Others in the running include Tristram Hunt; 12/1; Mary Creagh 16/1; Chris Leslie; 40/1 and Harriet Harman 50/1.