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”.

It comes after Josh Simons, Labour MP for Makerfield, said he would stand down so Mr Burnham can “drive the change our country is crying out for”.

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

It follows days of turmoil in which calls have mounted for the British prime minister to step down in the wake of Labour’s election mauling last week.

Mr Streeting stopped short of announcing a bid for the top job as he resigned but urged Starmer to allow the “best possible field of candidates” to run to replace him in Downing Street, suggesting he could be in favour of including Mr Burnham.

Later, Mr Simons posted on X that “nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference. That must start with a change in leadership”, as he said he would resign as an MP.

“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 wrote.

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.” Mr Burnham posted shortly afterwards, saying he would request permission from Labour’s ruling body to stand in the seat.

He was previously blocked by the National Executive Committee from standing as Labour’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, which was won by the Green Party.

Makerfield has been held by Labour continuously since the constituency was created in 1983.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, said: “We look forward to the contest and we will throw absolutely everything at it.” 

Streeting criticised the “drift” at the top of Government and told the Prime Minister it is “clear” he will not lead Labour into the next election in his resignation letter.

It was unclear whether Mr Streeting has the 81 Labour MPs needed to announce a formal challenge against the prime minister, with earlier briefings from rival factions claiming that he did not.