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Andy Burnham says he will ask Labour’s ruling body to allow him to fight Makerfield by-election. Former minister, MP Josh Simons says he will stand aside for the Manchester mayor to stand.
In a post on X, Simons — once considered a close ally of Keir Starmer — said Westminster had “managed the decline” of towns like his for decades and admitted Labour had lost the trust of many of the people it was created to represent.
He argued that only “urgent, radical and courageous reform” could restore confidence, adding that such change must begin with new leadership.
Announcing his resignation as MP for Makerfield, Simons said he was stepping aside to allow Andy Burnham to return to Parliament and, if elected, lead the changes “the country is crying out for”.
He described the decision as difficult but said there comes a point when “we all must make choices”.
“In recent days, I found myself facing a difficult decision: defend the status quo or step forward and act,” he wrote. “I have made my choice.”
He ended his statement with a clear endorsement of Burnham, declaring: “Andy is the one to lead.”
Simons previously served as director of Labour Together, the influential thinktank that helped secure Starmer’s leadership victory, and was widely viewed as one of the prime minister’s closest supporters.
He later became a Cabinet Office minister but resigned in March following allegations that Labour Together had funded an organisation to gather information on journalists who had written critical stories about the group.
Burnham confirms he will request to stand in Makerfield by-election
Andy Burnham has confirmed he will seek permission from Labour’s National Executive Committee to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
The move follows Labour MP Josh Simons’ announcement that he will step down to give Burnham the opportunity to contest the seat.
Burnham is currently midway through his term as mayor of Greater Manchester but has long been viewed as searching for a route back into Westminster. He is widely believed to be considering a future challenge to Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
Before any leadership bid could happen, however, Burnham would first need to win the by-election.
Simons secured Makerfield for Labour in the 2024 general election with a majority of fewer than 6,000 votes, with Reform UK finishing in second place.
