Labour MP Resigns so Andy Burnham Can Run for Party Leadership
‘We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve.’
by Joshua Carroll
14 May 2026
A Labour MP has announced he will stand down in order to make way for Andy Burnham’s leadership bid.
Josh Simons said he will resign from representing his Greater Manchester constituency, triggering a byelection, in which Burnham intends to stand.
“I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield byelection,” the Manchester mayor said in a statement.
If Burnham wins, it will allow him to compete for the leadership of the Labour party.
“We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve,” Simons said. “It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference.”
Burnham is considered by the left of the party to be a more palatable option for leader than Wes Streeting, who is also believed to be planning a leadership bid.
Joshua Carroll is a writer and journalist.