Labour's Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has declared his intention to return to Westminster in a bid to "make politics work properly for people," as a Labour MP steps aside to facilitate his challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
By-Election Triggered
Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, announced he would resign, paving the way for Mr Burnham to stand in the forthcoming by-election. Mr Simons, a former Starmer loyalist who quit as a minister in February amid controversy over a think tank he once led, called for a "change in leadership."
Starmer Under Pressure
Sir Keir Starmer's leadership faces intense scrutiny after Labour's disastrous local election results last week. Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary on Thursday, becoming the first Cabinet member to quit, though he did not launch a formal leadership bid. He urged Sir Keir to allow the "best possible field of candidates" to replace him.
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner revealed she had been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs, clearing the path for a potential leadership run. However, by Thursday afternoon, no formal challenge had been launched, and attention turned to Mr Burnham.
Burnham's Strategy
Mr Burnham hinted that any leadership contest should wait until he becomes an MP. He stated: "We owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place."
Sources indicate Sir Keir will not block Mr Burnham from becoming Labour's candidate, but the party's National Executive Committee must approve his candidacy when it meets next week.
Leadership Landscape
While 89 Labour MPs have publicly called for Sir Keir's resignation, they are not united behind a single challenger. If he does not step down, Sir Keir would automatically be on the ballot in any leadership contest. Downing Street insists he will fight any attempt to oust him.
Other potential leadership candidates include armed forces minister Al Carns and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Junior ministers Jess Phillips, Zubir Ahmed, Alex Davies-Jones, and Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned earlier this week.
