Labour MP Josh Simons to stand down to allow Burnham run for byelection amid leadership row
Simons said the by-election could give Burnham a route back to Parliament as Labour faces fresh pressure over Starmer’s leadership.
- On Thursday, Labour MP Josh Simons resigned his Makerfield seat to offer Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a path back to Parliament, potentially enabling a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Earlier on Thursday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Cabinet, stating he had "lost confidence" in Starmer's leadership and accusing the Prime Minister of presiding over a "vacuum" where "vision" was needed.
- Simons, who won the Makerfield seat in 2024 by a 5,399 majority, stated he was "putting the people I represent first" by stepping down to facilitate change, though the upcoming by-election faces a tight contest against Reform UK.
- To formally challenge Starmer, Burnham must return to Parliament and secure written support from 20% of Labour MPs—currently 81 members—as the party navigates internal pressure following recent election losses.
- Simons argued the party must pursue "urgent, radical, courageous reform" to restore trust and "deliver on all of the promises we made," positioning Burnham as the only leader capable of driving necessary change.
29 Articles
29 Articles
UK seat vacancy fuels Burnham leadership speculation
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. "Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield," Simons wrote on X. "I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to…
St Helens Star
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.
BT
berlingske.dkA British mayor described as a challenger to Keir Starmer will run for a vacant seat in parliament.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
