Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham will be among the potential Labour candidates to stand in the Makerfield by-election, the party’s ruling body has confirmed.
NEC Approval Granted
Burnham declared he would seek permission from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to contest the by-election after the current MP, Josh Simons, announced on Thursday he would quit Parliament to make way for Burnham. A Labour Party spokesperson stated: “Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.”
Leadership Speculation
If successful, Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership. The by-election, triggered by Simons’ resignation, is seen as a crucial test for both Burnham and Starmer’s leadership within the party.
