Labour MP stands aside as Andy Burnham eyes return to Parliament

[Twiglets1]

A scandal-hit Labour MP will give up his seat to make way for Andy Burnham, in the Manchester mayor’s first step to challenging Sir Keir Starmer for No 10.

Josh Simons, a former minister, said on Thursday that he was “standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.

It will trigger a by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency of Makerfield, which has been held by the Labour Party since it was created in 1983.

Mr Simons is a former minister who was forced to resign over his involvement in a smear campaign against journalists carried out while he ran the think tank Labour Together.

“It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference,” he said. “That must start with a change in leadership.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/05/14/keir-starmer-live-rayner-wes-streeting-leadership-contest/

Here is the PM doing what he does best - dealing courteously, calmly and effectively with the latest Green party MP (from 25.57:

Prime Minister's Questions - 20/05/2026 - BBC iPlayer

Haha, love it!

The arrogance of this woman. The DUP is full of teetotallers, they're very good living types, but I don't think I've ever heard any of them deliver a full-frontal assault on the Westminster drinking culture, and certainly not when they were only through the door of the place five minutes!

Is nothing sacred?

It’s not an important seat for the Greens, they haven’t got a snowball in hell’s chance of winning it. It’s a straight Labour v Reform fight.

It's still an election that will have a lot of eyes on it.

Just what the Green party needs - another candidate who is openly anti - Israel and has something antisemitic in her social media.

Yep. The candidate will be representing the Green Party. Her chances of winning are irrelevant. I have a sub if you want to read.

https://www.thetimes.com/article/31fee936-11cf-4baa-964f-944dc7f08fda?shareToken=6678e0d706f24051009254420782b565

The Conservatives have put up a candidate too - Michael Winstanley, the former mayor of Wigan back in 1997.

Implied chances of winning the June by-election, according to the latest betting odds. Correct as of 8:01pm, May 20, Source: Oddschecker

Lab
63.7%

Ref
35.7%

Restore
15.4%

Green
0.5%

Con
0.2%

Lib Dem
0.2%

So you're right @Nuthatch26 & @BIossomtoes the Greens are kinda irrelevant in that constituency. As are the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

And all Restore will achieve is splitting the Reform vote.

Simons' majority is just over 5000 (18000 in 2024)
Looking at the results for 2024 - the Tories got 4300 votes, Lib Dems 2700, Greens 1770. Reform just under 13000. Of course, this was pre-Polanski Greens and the antisemitism scandals and Polanski's PR disasters. So yes, I think Burnham will take it, even if Reform/Restore scoop up the disaffected Tory vote - the split of the right-wing vote will work in Labour's favour as @Twiglets1 says.

Burnham already stood twice for the leadership and was rejected. Why should he win a third time? Why should voters jump to the orders of people who just put personal ambition before them?

Nobody’s holding a gun to the heads of Makerfield voters. 🤷‍♀️

Yes, that's what makes it so interesting, and more challenging for Burnham. He may be a popular figure locally, but equally the voters might be unimpressed by being used as a springboard to further his leadership ambitions. The Labour govt are deeply unpopular, economy stagnating etc but people might have faith that he can turn it around - how, I don't know. I fail to see what is so outstandingly wonderful about him.

I fail to see what is so outstandingly wonderful about him.

Same thing that made Hannah Spencer so appealing - they give people hope.

I don't think the Conservatives will put much effort in, but its good that they're standing a candidate.

Is it? Seeing the odds, I am wondering what is the point?

Badenoch still trying to convince what remains of her party it’s still relevant. My lifelong Tory voting bloke says the party is withering on the vine and wondering how he’ll vote when it’s pointless to vote for it any more.

I'm a conservative and also live in GM. We are a rare breed! If I lived in that consistency, I would hold my nose and vote for Reform anyway.
I think voters should be given a choice though.

I believe in good government and a healthy opposition - so yes they must be represented.

The Greens didn't go for Hayley Pierce in the end, they chose a guy called Chris Kennedy who has just withdrawn citing 'personal and family reasons'.

Do a search for him on the NMC register.

What a shitshow

Why, what's he done? There are a few allegations on X, is it something to do with drugs? He's a smarmy looking character and no mistake.

Edited as it appears that he probably isn't the one who was struck off. Sorry!

It seems to be more to do with some batshit SM posts he's written, the usual antisemitic nonsense. The Greens are an absolute disaster under ZP, they seem to be a magnet for the very worst people.