Efforts to oust Keir Starmer from Downing Street took a significant leap on Thursday.
In an explosive move, Labour MP Josh Simons said he would stand down as an MP to make way for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to return to Parliament. But the route to Westminster is by no means a simple one.
A by-election will now be held in Simons' Makerfield constituency in the North West - and Mr Burnham is expected to put himself forward to stand as a candidate. The decision of whether he can stand will be up to the National Executive Committee, Labour's ruling body. The NEC earlier this year blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election amid concerns about a separate costly contest having to be held to replace him as mayor. But the NEC's position is said to be softening.
The move came as Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Government and said it was clear the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next general election. But the MP for Ilford North - who has long been a leadership hopeful - failed to fire the starting gun for a leadership contest with a formal challenge to the PM. An MP must have the backing of 81 Labour MPs to make an official trigger a race.
