Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham has referenced the fortunes of boy band One Direction by saying the party should unite if it stands any chance of successfully opposing the Government and fighting for power.

The shadow health secretary spoke at a rally in north London on the day pop music fans mourned reports the British four-piece would split in March next year.

The Labour Party has also had to fend off question marks over its future, particularly if radical leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn gets the top job next month.

Speaking to a packed crowd at St Pancras Parish Church on Monday evening, Mr Burnham said: "Have you heard the big news today? One Direction are splitting up next year.

"I'm here to tell you, I'm not going to let the same thing happen to the Labour Party.

"We are here to get a Labour government back. We're here to win."

Mr Burnham, a Labour member for three decades, said the party should unite in opposing the Government and fighting for power, rather than "turning inward and talking to ourselves".

But he was dealt a blow as former prime minister Gordon Brown gave his backing to rival candidate Yvette Cooper.

The Herald:

Mr Brown - who previously issued a thinly veiled warning against electing left-wing frontrunner Mr Corbyn - has given Mr Burnham his second-preference vote and Liz Kendall his third, his office said.

It comes as Mr Corbyn rejected claims the party would split if he is elected to Labour's top job.

Senior party figures are expected to meet on Tuesday amid concerns card-carrying Tories signed up as Labour supporters under new rules in order to vote for radical candidate Mr Corbyn, the one they believe will keep the Conservatives in government.

Mr Burnham joked: "It's been a long leadership campaign ... It's been so long that I can just about remember being the frontrunner."

He added: "The longer this contest goes on, the more Labour risks turning inward and talking to ourselves.

"I am very clear that under my leadership we will have the strongest opposition ever - taking on the Tories, getting after them day in day out, setting out a clear and radical alternative.

"But we need more. Under my leadership we will also build a party that will not just take the Tories on, but kick the Tories out."

He said: "I will make two promises to you tonight. The Labour Party I lead will be the most hard-working opposition that anyone has ever seen, we will run the Government ragged every day. And we will be an opposition fighting not for its own causes, but one that is fighting to win power."

Mr Burnham has enjoyed high-profile backing from party heavyweights including former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott, and former director of public prosecutions Sir Kier Starmer, both of who spoke in support of Mr Burnham on Monday night.

Abby Tomlinson, credited with creating the Milifandom movement in support of Ed Miliband during the last general election campaign, was among his supporters on stage.

Mr Corbyn remains bookmakers' favourite to land the job when it is announced next month following the ballot of Labour members.

Mr Corbyn's dramatic transformation from rank outsider to frontrunner in the race against Mr Burnham, Ms Cooper and Ms Kendall for the leadership has sent shockwaves through Labour and prompted fears it would force the party to split.

But Mr Corbyn told the Financial Times: "I don't think there is any appetite for people to walk away from (the party).

"I appreciate there are only a relatively small number (of MPs) who actually willingly nominated me," he said.

"The number of MPs making 'noises off' at the moment is actually quite small," he added. "A lot of MPs are looking to see what happens and what role they can fulfil."