Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced his intention to seek the Labour Party's nomination to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. This development follows the unexpected resignation of the constituency's current Labour MP, Josh Simons, which will trigger a contest for the seat. Simons, who has represented Makerfield since the last general election, has not yet publicly stated the reasons behind his decision to step down from Parliament.
Makerfield, a constituency in Greater Manchester, has historically been a strong Labour foothold, consistently returning a Labour MP since its creation in 1983. The seat was previously held by Yvonne Fovargue from 2010 until Simons' election. The by-election will now present a significant test for all political parties, particularly Labour, in maintaining their dominance in a traditional heartland seat amidst the current political climate.
Andy Burnham's potential candidacy would represent a notable move for the prominent Labour figure, who has served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. Before assuming the mayoral role, Burnham had a distinguished career in national politics, serving as the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017 and holding several ministerial positions under previous Labour governments, including Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Secretary of State for Health.
His return to Westminster would signal a shift from his focus on regional devolution and local governance back to the national stage. Burnham has gained a high public profile through his leadership in Greater Manchester, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he often championed the needs of the North of England. His decision to contest a parliamentary seat could be interpreted as an ambition to play a more direct role in national policy-making.
The process for the by-election will begin once Josh Simons formally resigns from the House of Commons by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds or the Stewardship of the Manor of Northstead, a procedural step required for an MP to leave Parliament. Following this, the Speaker will issue a warrant for a new writ, setting in motion the timetable for nominations and the subsequent ballot. Labour's national executive committee will then oversee the selection of a candidate, with Burnham expected to put his name forward.