Josh Simons Steps Down as Makerfield MP, Paving Way for Andy Burnham Leadership Bid
Labour MP Josh Simons has confirmed his decision to vacate his Makerfield constituency, enabling Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to seek election to the Commons and potentially launch a bid for the Labour leadership. Simons, who secured the seat by 5,399 votes in the last election, stated the move was an opportunity 'too big to miss'.
Simons, a 32-year-old father of three, characterised the Labour Party as 'imploding' over the past week. He emphasised that a leadership contest with the party fractured offered 'no hope, no energy that anything would change'. He added that Makerfield, where Burnham has resided for 25 years, was a place where Burnham was 'coming home'.
This development follows a period of significant discontent within Labour, exacerbated by disappointing local election results and growing calls for Sir Keir Starmer to outline a timetable for his departure. Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the front bench on Thursday, signalling his own potential leadership ambitions. Concurrently, an investigation into the tax affairs of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner was concluded.
Burnham, who has served as metro mayor since 2017, must secure a parliamentary seat to lead the party. Simons acknowledged that the forthcoming by-election in Makerfield would be a 'really, really, really tough fight', particularly given Reform UK's performance in recent local elections in the area. He did not indicate any new job promises linked to his resignation, stating his immediate focus would be on his family and assisting with the by-election campaign.
