At just 32 years old, Josh Simons has already experienced a political career that many would envy: he ran a thinktank, held a ministerial position, resigned amidst a scandal, and now has quit parliament to pave the way for Andy Burnham. The Makerfield MP, who only secured his seat two years ago, has been a vocal supporter of Burnham as a potential successor to Keir Starmer. However, his decision to step down surprised many, given his recent move to the constituency with his family.
A Shock to the System
In his resignation letter, Simons stated he was prioritizing his constituents, arguing that a “shock to the Westminster system” was necessary. He was among the first to publicly urge Prime Minister Starmer to set a departure timetable after the local and devolved election results, despite having previously led Labour Together, the thinktank that helped propel Starmer to power and shaped his policy agenda.
Burnham supporters have praised Simons’ decision. One remarked that he “literally put the party and the country first – like everyone else lectures we have to do – he’s done it.” Burnham himself hailed “the difficult decision and sacrifice that he and his family are making,” noting that Simons’ wife recently gave birth to their third child.
Controversy and Meteoric Rise
Simons’ parliamentary career was brief but eventful. After entering parliament, he quickly became a ministerial aide and was promoted to a role in the Cabinet Office in September last year. However, he resigned in February over his involvement in Labour Together’s commissioning of the public affairs agency APCO to investigate journalists covering the thinktank. The Guardian revealed that Simons had personally commissioned and reviewed APCO’s work on reporters looking into the group’s funding. He expressed being “surprised” and “furious” at the PR report but eventually stepped down, stating his position had become “a distraction from this government’s important work.”
Despite this scandal, his re-emergence as a key player in the drama over Starmer’s leadership was unexpected. Colleagues describe him as having sharp political instincts. Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, Simons studied at the University of Cambridge before working for the Labour Party and later as a research scientist on artificial intelligence at Meta. In 2022, he became director of Labour Together, and two years later, he was selected for the Makerfield seat at the last minute.
Mixed Reactions and Future Prospects
One Labour source commented: “Josh is immensely bright and incredibly hard working. In the end, it was his frustrations with the Labour party and his zeal for taking on the antisemites of the hard-left that were his undoing. He never got the support he deserved for all he put in.” However, his past at Labour Together, which once organized against Jeremy Corbyn, may not be welcomed by the left if he becomes a core part of Burnham’s operation. He is also seen as close to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who aligns with the Blue Labour right, while Burnham is favored by the soft left.
An MP supporting Burnham said: “Simons should never have been an MP.” Another questioned how the left and centre would collaborate under a Burnham leadership campaign, stating: “It’s a big unknown … Josh is Shabana Mahmood’s beast – lock, stock and barrel. I guess we just have to see what lands where.”
Despite leaving parliament, many believe Simons will remain influential. In his letter to constituents, he hinted at a continued role with Burnham: “If you place your trust in Andy, we will restore our towns to the places they should be, rip up the existing system and build a new one that puts you at the heart of it. With Andy, I will fight for that, and for you, every step of the way.”
