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/

Another Green candidate who doesn’t have the brain cells not to write antisemitic nonsense on social media. Why can’t they find a decent candidate to stand in this constituency?

I agree with @Nuthatch26just run without much campaigning. It’s more likely Restore will impact Reform’s vote anyway.

Not sure the Greens will get much support when they run.

At this point the poor people in that consistuency must be looking from one to the other of the candidates going - I don't want any of this bloody shower, they're all awful.

They obviously don't attract 'decent' people anymore. Just anti semitic nutjobs.

I'm sure they would have preferred to keep the MP they elected less than two years ago, but Burnham's ego must be stroked.

The Green party has withdrawn their candidate, Reform defends their candidate's social media posts.

Don't worry everyone there is always hope:

Hope, Alan "Howlin" Laud The Official Monster Raving Loony Party X

It’s not a competition & unlike Reform, the Green Party is supposed to be inclusive to everyone.

Is that what Reform is campaigning on, being an exclusive party?

Reform should withdraw their candidate if they have any decency left.

No of course not but we all know they are not arguing in favour of more inclusivity in society are they?

I condemn both parties for the candidates they are standing. One has withdrawn theirs, the other defends theirs.

Both parties have massive problems with their vetting

We can agree both parties have massive problems with vetting.

The Greens have taken off where Corbyn left off. They are the Corbynists who were either expelled or left the Labour Party.

Yes they’ve found a new home in the Green Party.

It’s just a shame the Green Party is allowing themselves to be used like this. Though I’m aware some people question who is using who - since the Greens get a lot more attention & membership has grown hugely since they stopped being primarily about the environment.

Reform's latest shenanigans in Makerfield

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/22/charity-demands-apology-from-farage-for-intimidating-uninvited-visit

Andy Burnham must have whiplash the number of U turns he has done this week. No increase in the top rate of income tax, no EU membership, stuck to fiscal rules, backing the changes to indefinite leave to remain. Basically going against everything he said he stood for a few weeks ago. Tell me how he offers something different to Starmer? And now I read he wants to bring in another tax - land value tax - in addition to other property taxes like council tax, mansion tax, stamp duty etc. Has he actually thought anything through? If he wins the Labour leadership and becomes PM surely there has to be a General Election - we are so far from the 2024 Labour manifesto already. Didn’t see mention of £70 billion tax rises in it or 17% youth unemployment as a consequence of their taxes on business coming in that document - they weren’t discussed! They weren’t kidding when they called it “Change” !

Disgraceful, isn’t it? They’re shameless.

The very thing Starmer is most often accused of - doing U turns.

I don’t have a problem with occasional U turns myself as surely it’s better if politicians do change their mind on issues when it becomes apparent their opinions are unpopular.

But still - this just shows whoever gets elected Labour leader will probably resort to as many U turns as Starmer 🤷🏼‍♀️

The only party at this point so not standing on a ticket of open, proud prejudice against at least one group in society appears to be the Conservatives. But it's only quarter to ten, I suppose we'll see what the day brings.

Politicians lie in case you hadn't noticed. Re entry into the EU was not in their manifesto.