Perception is key in politics and while Jeremy Corbyn is not currently perceived to be a hero of localism – he once described the ‘Northern Powerhouse' as a ‘cruel deception' and has been fairly reticent on the topic ever since – indirectly he may provide the devolution agenda with the additional momentum it needs to shake long-held perceptions about where power in England should reside.

Because Mr Corbyn's prospects of wielding power are perceived by many of his parliamentary colleagues to be faint, the option of following Sadiq Khan into the mayors' club has become an attractive proposition for some of the party's bigger beasts.