Andy Burnham has told left-wing backbench Labour MPs that they will be "seen" and "listened to" under his incoming administration.

Mr Burnham, who has not taken questions from opposition MPs or the Daily Express, is the only candidate standing in the Labour Leadership election.

But during the by-election he repeatedly declined to take questions from the Daily Express, and literally ran away when doorstepped about his position on the EU.

Around 80 Labour MPs have written to Mr Burnham urging him to water down Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms amid fears the incoming PM will kowtow to leftwing elements of his party.

Labour MPs have asked the incoming Prime Minister to avoid "narrow factionalism" in his party, which has previously seen MPs suspended for disagreeing with the boss.

However the former Manchester Mayor has signalled he will undo this style of leadership, and has pledged to undo the suspension of the MP Karl Turner who was kicked out of his disagreement on Labour's scrapping of jury trials.

In a briefing for the hustings seen by the Daily Express Mr Burnham is understood to have pledged a "culture where everyone is valued, seen and listened to."

He is also believed to have urged the country to "come together" and to "lead from the front on culture change, political direction and narrative."

It is not clear what the incoming Prime Minister will do on a great many areas of policy, as he has yet to comment publicly on most areas and has ignored questions from the media.

Opposition MPs have urged him to extend the parliamentary sitting by an extra day so they have a chance to question him.