Labour MP steps aside to allow Burnhams return amid leadership tensions.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been offered a pathway to return to the UK Parliament and potentially challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. Labour MP Josh Simons announced he would stand down from his Makerfield seat, triggering a by-election that would allow Burnham to contest the seat and re-enter Westminster. Simons stated he was stepping aside specifically to enable Burnham’s return, describing it as Burnham’s "home" . Burnham has confirmed his intention to stand as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield by-election .
The move follows months of speculation about Burnham’s ambitions to return to Parliament, after Starmer previously blocked him from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier in 2026. Burnham’s supporters within the Labour Party had expressed frustration over this decision . If successful in the by-election, Burnham would be positioned to launch a leadership challenge against Starmer, whose premiership is described as increasingly precarious amid internal Labour divisions .
Defence Minister Al Carns, elected in 2024, has also indicated he would launch his own leadership bid if a contest arises. Carns, a junior minister, has criticized Labour’s disconnect from working-class voters, arguing the party has failed to address their economic and emotional insecurities. He questioned Labour’s ability to represent regions like Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, and Swansea, emphasizing the need for the party to reconnect with its traditional base .
The Makerfield by-election is expected to be fiercely contested, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announcing the party will "throw absolutely everything" at winning the seat, further complicating Labour’s efforts to retain it . Starmer has reportedly indicated he will not block Burnham from standing in the by-election .
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Starmer braces for leadership challenge by Burnham Greater Manchester mayor says he wants to contest a by-election and return to Westminster
financial times · 5 months ago
Andy Burnham has path to challenge PM but must win byelection first Greater Manchester mayor would need to win Makerfield seat before launching campaign for Labour leadershipAndy Burnham now has a potential route back to parliament and a chance to become Labours next leader after an MP said he would trigger a byelection by standing down from his seat.The move ended days of speculation about whether Burnham could secure a possible path back into Westminster and underlined the increasingly precarious nature of Keir Starmers premiership. Continue reading...
theguardian · 5 months ago
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theguardian · 5 months ago
Labour politicians jockey for possible challenge to UKs Starmer British Labour lawmaker Josh Simons on Thursday said he would resign from his seat in parliament in a move designed to give Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a chance to return to parliament and challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer. FRANCE 24s Béédicte Paviot reports from 10 Downing Street.
france24 · 5 months ago
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gdeltproject.org · 5 months ago
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theguardian · 5 months ago
Burnham offered Labour seat to challenge Starmer Greater Manchester mayor says he wants to stand and return to Westminster
financial times · 5 months ago
Labour MP to stand down to allow Burnham run for byelection amid leadership row Greater Manchester mayor would need to win byelection to launch leadership challenge against Starmer• UK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham now has a route back to parliament after a Greater Manchester MP announced he would stand down, triggering a byelection, and putting Burnham in contention to become the next Labour leader.The Greater Manchester mayor has been seeking to return to parliament for months, but was blocked by Keir Starmer from running in the Gorton and Denton byelection at the start this year, to the anger of his supporters inside the party. Continue reading...
theguardian · 5 months ago