Andy Burnham has been given permission to stand in the Labour candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield by-election, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) announced. The Greater Manchester Mayor sought approval after current MP Josh Simons declared he would step down to facilitate Burnham's return to Westminster.
If selected and elected, Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. His previous bid to contest a by-election in Gorton and Denton was blocked by an NEC officers committee that included Starmer.
Labour faces a stiff challenge from Reform UK in Makerfield, where incumbent Josh Simons held a majority of just 5,399 over Nigel Farage’s party in 2024. Recent local elections saw Reform win every council ward in the constituency, taking around half the vote while Labour secured just over a quarter.
Burnham could benefit from his strong personal following in the North West, where he enjoys a net favourability rating of 24% according to Ipsos – considerably higher than any party leader or the Labour Party itself. However, a victory would trigger a costly mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester, potentially costing millions, with the 2024 mayoral election having cost £4.7 million.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting backed Burnham’s bid, saying Labour needs “our best players on the pitch”. Joanne Thomas of Usdaw confirmed her union’s NEC representatives would support Burnham. However, Communities Secretary Steve Reed warned against a leadership challenge, arguing it would cause the party further damage at the ballot box.
The by-election could cost taxpayers up to £226,000. Applications for the selection process opened on Friday and close on Monday, with the NEC expected to endorse a candidate on Thursday.
