London politics LIVE: Farage vows to 'throw everything' at stopping Burnham in by-election as Starmer braces for leadership battle

Andy Burnham faces a tough battle with Reform to make it back into the Commons and launch an anticipated bid to oust Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader. He made the announcement hours after ex-minister Josh Simons said he would stand down to allow the former MP for Leigh a route back to the Commons. Mr Simons said he would stand down so Mr Burnham can “drive the change our country is crying out for”.Sources said Prime Minister Sir Keir will not seek to block Mr Burnham from becoming Labour’s candidate.Mr Simons saw off a strong challenge from Reform UK to win the Greater Manchester constituency with a majority of 5,399 votes.Following Mr Simons's resignation, Mr Farage said: “We look forward to the contest and we will throw absolutely everything at it.” Sir Keir has faced mounting calls to quit in the wake of Labour’s disastrous local election results last weekFollow the latest updates below...Good morningWe are resuming our live politics coverage, with Reform leader Nigel Farage vowing to “throw absolutely everything” at a potential by-election with Andy Burnham.The Mayor of Greater Manchester said on Thursday that he will seek permission to stand in Makerfield after ex-minister Josh Simons announced he would stand down to allow the Mr Burnham a route back to the Commons. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy BurnhamPA ArchiveEarlier on Thursday, Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary ahead of a rumoured leadership challenge, with Sir Keir Starmer facing mounting calls to quit.We will bring you all the latest developments and reactions here. Embattled Keir Starmer faces leadership contest against Andy Burnham in Labour civil warSir Keir Starmer faced a growing battle to remain Prime Minister after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham appeared to have found a possible path back to Parliament.Mr Burnham said he would seek permission from Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee to stand as the party’s candidate in a by-election in Makerfield.Coverage suspended Our coverage has ended for today, but join us again tomorrow for the latest in Labour’s leadership crisis. When will the Makerfield by-election take place?Andy Burnham has confirmed he intends to stand in the Makerfield by-election after the seat became available following the resignation of its MP.Josh Simons said he would step down as MP for Makerfield to allow Burnham to “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.Wes Streeting congratulates James Murray on his new roleWes Streeting congratulated new Health Secretary James Murray, who was appointed to the post after Mr Streeting resigned earlier on Thursday.Mr Streeting posted on X: “Congratulations to @jamesmurray_ldn on his promotion to Health & Social Care Secretary.“He inherits a wonderful team and an important mission. He has my full support.”Health Secretary Wes Streeting PA WireTwo Labour MPs promoted Following the resignation of health secretary Wes Streeting, Ealing North MP James Murray has been promoted to the role. Cities of London and Westminster MP Rachel Blake has been named as Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) in HM Treasury. And Lucy Rigby KC MP has been named as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, replacing Murray. Liverpool City Region mayor backs Burnham Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has backed Andy Burnham to be Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election.The Labour mayor said he had been “loyal to every Labour leader” since he delivered his first leaflet at 12 years old, but that he had been expressing concerns about the party’s direction in government for some time and that achievements have been overshadowed by “chaos, drift and a lack of clarity”.“Our party and our country are at a critical moment.“We need a serious contest to decide Labour’s future – and that means widening the field, not narrowing it.“Andy Burnham should be allowed to stand in the Makerfield by-election.“I’ve known Andy a long time. I’ve seen how he leads, how he connects with people and how deeply he believes politics should not be transactional but focused on improving lives.“At a time when we’re losing support in all directions, he is someone who can bring people together. Someone who understands our country, who connects with communities beyond Westminster, and who knows how to turn Labour values into practical change.”Rachel Reeves, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, seen with Steve Rotherham, the Mayor of the Liverpool City RegionGettyJames Murray MP announced as new health secretary James Murray MP will replace Wes Streeting as the new health secretary, following his resignation today.Murray is currently the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.It is unclear who will replace him in this role. Ealing North MP James MurrayGettyLabour’s deputy leader says she supports Burnham return to be 'key player' for Labour Government Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell is expected to say Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner should all be “key players” in Labour’s team in a speech tomorrow.Ms Powell will repeat her support for the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s bid to return to Parliament as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election when she speaks at the Fire Brigades’ Union conference.She is expected to say: “The election results last week were deeply painful and difficult for our party, and the aftermath has been unedifying for us all too. We don’t do hostile take-overs in Labour for a reason. Keir is the leader, and I warned against bloody internal battles reflecting badly.“If we think we don’t have further to fall, that’s a mistake, we can. We must come back together as one team to take the fight to Farage and show that mainstream progressive politics can bring about the change people are crying out for.“That also means doing politics differently. Ending briefing wars, ending factionalism, and representing all our traditions with our strongest team on the pitch – being one Labour team.“Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner should all be key players in our team.“Andy wants to come back to Parliament – I’ve always supported his desire to do so, and I support that again. As deputy leader, I am confident he would have the support of the vast majority of the party and movement in doing so.” Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Lucy PowellGettyHow Keir Starmer plunged in 674 days from 2024 election triumph to fighting for his political lifeSir Keir Starmer’s fall from general election victory to the brink of being ousted as Prime Minister has happened at extraordinary speed.He took Labour to a landslide victory in July 2024, with more than 400 MPs from his party elected to Parliament.Just 674 days later he faced the start of moves to force him out of Downing Street.Read The Standard’s take on Starmer’s fall from grace.