Labour clears path for Burnham's Westminster comeback

Labour has cleared a path for Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster, after he was given approval to enter the candidate selection process for the Makerfield by-election.No date has yet been confirmed for the by-election itself, as the writ must still be moved in Parliament before a formal timetable can be set.But, a likely date for the contest is June 18, in what is shaping up to be a closely watched and potentially difficult battle.Andy Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he manages to return to Parliament at the Makerfield by-election PA WireJosh Simons, the constituency’s current MP, announced yesterday that he would be stepping down from his Makerfield seat to make way for Burnham to “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.Burnham has emerged as a frontrunner to challenge Sir Keir Starmer following disastrous Labour’s local election results last week, in which they lost 1,498 council seats, triggering political instability within the party.Meanwhile, Burnham faces a difficult challenge in Makerfield, which stands between him and a return to Parliament, as Labour comes under pressure from both Reform and the Greens on either side. Simons currently holds a majority of 5,399 votes in the constituency. Labour secured 18,202 votes in Makerfield at the 2024 general election, while Reform UK came second with 12,803.Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham, during a meeting with English regional mayors in JanuaryPA WireThe constituency of Makerfield includes much of the former seat of Ince, which was held by Labour continuously from 1906 until its abolition in 1983 — meaning Labour MPs have represented this part of Greater Manchester for 120 years.Read MoreHowever, Labour’s majority in Makerfield of 5,399 is smaller than the one overturned by Reform at the Runcorn & Helsby by-election in Cheshire in May 2025, and also smaller than the majority overturned by the Greens at the Gordon & Denton by-election in Greater Manchester in February 2026.Analysis of the local election results from May 7 this year shows that, of the ten wards contested on Wigan Council that fall wholly or partly within the Makerfield parliamentary constituency, Reform candidates won every single one. But Burnham is hoping that his personal appeal will offset Labour’s weaker national polling and carry him to victory.Labour MP Josh Simons announced yesterday that he would be stepping down from his Makerfield seat to make way for BurnhamHouse of CommonsEarlier, allies of Wes Streeting said he would stand in any future leadership race, further intensifying speculation about a potential leadership contest.The former health secretary resigned on Thursday, saying he had “lost confidence” in the prime minister’s leadership, adding that it would be unprincipled for him to remain in post.Responding to Burnham’s intention to run in the Makerfield by-election, Streeting said Labour needs “our best players on the pitch” and “Andy Burnham is one of them”.In a post on X, he wrote: “We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.“The Makerfield by-election will be tough.“Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”Wes Streeting has backed Burnham for the Makerfield by-electionPA WireData suggests the combined cost of running a mayoral election in Greater Manchester and the Makerfield by-election may reach £5 million.Responding to this, Kemi Badenoch said that while it is “not convention” for parties to pay for by-elections, “it is quite clear that this by-election has been created because of Labour’s chaos”.Speaking at an electrical engineering manufacturer in Saffron Walden, in her North West Essex constituency on Friday, the Tory leader said: “It is not convention that parties pay for by-elections, but it is quite clear that this by-election has been created because of Labour’s chaos and other protest parties will exploit this.“We’re going to spend a lot of time talking about by-elections and Westminster bubble issues, instead of the things that matter to the country.”