MP quits to make way for Andy Burnham to challenge Keir Starmer

Josh Simons said he was standing down so the Mayor of Greater Manchester can 'drive the change our country is crying out for'

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has said he will ask for permission to stand for Labour in a by-election after an MP quit to make way for the Greater Manchester Mayor to return to the British parliament to challenge Keir Starmer.

Mr Burnham said he wanted to return to Westminster to “bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people”.