As the national media and Westminster village work themselves up to a collective frenzy at the prospect of a leadership challenge that still hasn't happened, the concept of Manchesterism is being bandied around the streets of SW1 like a new-found political cult.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is not yet an MP, but his political philosophy is under the microscope. His suitability to run the country is being assessed based on his achievements as the so-called King of the North even before a date has been set for the by-election needed to pave his path to Downing Street.
