Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced he will seek the permission of Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, marking a potential return to Parliament. This decision follows Labour MP Josh Simons' agreement to step aside, allowing Mr Burnham to contest the seat and challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who faces mounting pressure to resign after a series of poor local election results.
Full Statement from Andy Burnham
In a statement released on Thursday, Mr Burnham said: 'I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.' He emphasised his deep roots in the area, having grown up there and lived in the region for 25 years. 'I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics,' he added.
Reflecting on his departure from Westminster a decade ago, Mr Burnham explained: 'Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.'
During his time as Mayor, Mr Burnham highlighted achievements such as making Greater Manchester the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and bringing buses back under public control with a £2 fare cap to ease cost-of-living pressures. However, he acknowledged the limitations of regional power: 'However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people's support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.'
Mr Burnham also addressed the political turmoil within the Labour Party, following Health Secretary Wes Streeting's resignation from Cabinet due to a loss of confidence in the Labour leader. He called for unity: 'Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, 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.'
He paid tribute to Josh Simons, acknowledging his difficult decision to step aside: '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.'
Concluding his statement, Mr Burnham vowed to work hard to regain trust: '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.'
