Andy Burnham says if he wins leadership contest there might be a place for Jeremy Corbyn in his shadow cabinet

Update: Burnham’s campaign team have said that although he wants “unity after the election”, Burnham can’t envisage “any circumstances” where Corbyn would be on his frontbench.

Andy Burnham has said there might be a place for Jeremy Corbyn in his shadow cabinet if the Leigh MP wins the leadership election.

The four leadership candidates took part in a pre-recorded television hustings on the BBC Sunday Politics this lunchtime. They were questioned for an hour by presented Andrew Neil.

During this session, Burnham said that there might be space for Corbyn in his shadow cabinet. Although noted he that this post wouldn’t be shadow chancellor due to Corbyn’s anti-austerity politics, which Burnham does not agree with.

Liz Kendall, however, implied that Corbyn would not find a place in her shadow cabinet. She argued that her politics aren’t compatible with Corbyn’s. Yvette Cooper refused to give a clear answer on whether her fellow leadership contender would be given a senior position if she were running the the party, saying she wouldn’t make any decisions at this point.

When asked by Neil, Corbyn said he believed that elections should determine shadow cabinet positions and so Kendall may be eligible for a place in his if he were to triumph in the leadership contest. He noted that the Labour party is a “broad church” and he wants it to be as democratic as possible.

The candidates also clashed over a number of other issues. On the economy, Kendall said she wouldn’t support increasing the top rate of tax to 50p – which was Labour’s policy prior to the last election – while Burnham, Cooper and Corbyn came out in favour of this policy. However, all candidates said they were opposed to Labour’s Mansion Tax policy.

Meanwhile, the four rehearsed the party’s argument over welfare that took place over the week. Last weekend Harriet Harman – the party’s interim leader – said Labour may not oppose the government’s decision to restrict child tax credits to two children. However, due to opposition from within the Parliamentary Labour Party the Harman has said Labour will support an amendment to the welfare bill.

Kendall reiterated her support for Harman, saying that if Labour were to oppose this policy they would have to explain how they would pay for it. She also argued that Harman was right to recognise people didn’t trust Labour on welfare.

However, Cooper, Burnham and Corbyn all repeated their opposition to the Government’s tax credit policy. Yet, Burnham said that he did accept a welfare cap “in principle”.