MP quits to make way for Burnham to return to Parliament and challenge Starmer

A former minister has said he will quit as an MP to make way for Andy Burnham to return to Parliament to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.

Josh Simons, Labour MP for Makerfield, said he was standing down so the Mayor of Greater Manchester can “drive the change our country is crying out for”.

Earlier, Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary, saying he had “concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled” to continue in the Cabinet under Sir Keir.

While stopping short of announcing a bid for the top job, Streeting urged Sir Keir to allow the “best possible field of candidates” to run to replace him in Downing Street, suggesting he could be in favour of including Burnham.

In a post on X, Simons said: “It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference. That must start with a change in leadership.

“Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield.

“I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.”

He added Labour has “one last chance” to deliver and “change a status quo that is not working”. He said: “That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it.”

In response, Burnham said he will be requesting the permission of Labour’s NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

Burnham has confirmed he will request permission from Labour’s ruling body to stand in a by-election, after Makerfield MP Josh Simons stood down to allow him a path back to Parliament.

Burnham did not say he would challenge Sir Keir Starmer in his statement, but said he wanted to give “the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place”.

“I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election,” Mr Burnham said in a post on X.

He added: “I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.”

Burnham later said: “I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.

“Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.”