Andy Burnham has been out canvassing in Makerfield ahead of the upcoming by-election, Burnham was also joined by the deputy labour leader, Lucy Powell.
The Greater Manchester mayor is aiming to become the Labour candidate for the seat, which former labour MP, Josh Simons, who announced on Thursday he would stand down to give Mr Burnham a chance to return to parliament and topple the Prime Minister.
Burnham was pictured today meeting constituents in Makerfield, including a woman who appeared to say she would back him after previously voting for another party.
The woman said: “I did do a protest vote. But now that you’re back on board, definitely…”
Burnham replied: “Oh, really? Right. That means everything. That’s why I’m doing it. I’m trying to get this party back to where it solidly should have always been. And that’s why I’m doing it.”
“Brilliant,” the woman replies.
If Burnham is successfully elected in Makerfield, he is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.
For context: Former MP Josh Simons secured a majority of just 5,399 over Reform UK at the 2024 general election.
Since then, Labour’s polling collapse and Reform’s surge have seen their positions reverse.
But Burnham could benefit from his strong personal following in the north west, where he has a net favourability rating of 24%, according to pollster Ipsos.
That is much higher than any of the party leaders or the Labour Party itself.
No formal leadership challenge to Starmer has yet been triggered.
shouldnt he be at work?