Andy Burnham Cleared to Run in Makerfield By-Election

Andy Burnham will be allowed to stand in Labour's candidate selection process for the Makerfield by-election. The Greater Manchester mayor announced on Thursday he was seeking to return to Westminster after Labour MP Josh Simons agreed to step down.

Labour's National Executive Committee granted Mr Burnham permission to enter the selection process. Applications close on Monday and the committee will endorse a candidate on Thursday. June 18 is the earliest date a by-election could take place. Education secretary Bridget Philipson told BBC Radio 4's The Week in Westminster programme that Mr Burnham would be a "strong candidate" but said Sir Keir had her "full support".

Communities minister Alison McGovern told the Progress think tank's conference that Labour had been left "reeling" from its election defeats last week. She called for a "battle of ideas" rather than a "battle of personalities." Wes Streeting resigned his ministerial role on Thursday. Allies of Mr Streeting confirmed to The Independent that he will be a candidate in any future leadership contest.

A new YouGov poll found 31 per cent of people believe Andy Burnham looks like a prime minister in waiting, while 27 per cent do not. Makerfield is typically a safe seat for Labour. Mr Simons secured a majority of 5,399 over Reform UK at the 2024 general election.