Andy Burnham has been given the green light to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election after Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) decided not to block his candidacy. The Greater Manchester Mayor is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership if he wins the seat.
The by-election was triggered after backbencher Josh Simons announced he was stepping down. Burnham had previously been barred from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February, where Labour came third behind the Green Party and Reform UK.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who quit his role on Thursday, has called for Burnham to be selected, saying: 'We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.' Streeting's allies confirmed he will stand if a leadership contest is triggered.
Downing Street insisted the Prime Minister is 'very much focused on governing', but more than 80 MPs have called for Starmer to go after disastrous local election results. Five ministers, including Streeting, Jess Phillips and Miatta Fahnbulleh, have resigned calling for new leadership.
Nigel Farage has said Reform UK will 'throw absolutely everything' at the by-election, where the party made huge gains in recent local elections. Pollster Sir John Curtice warned that winning the seat, which had a 5,000 Labour majority in 2024, will not be easy, and failure could scupper Burnham's ambitions for good.
A final decision on Labour's candidate is expected next Thursday.
