People take photographs of a betting company's odds on contenders to be the next leader of Britain's Labour party, with Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner's names all listed, on Whitehall in central London on May 12, 2026. [Photo/Agencies]
LONDON - Josh Simons, a British Labour member of parliament (MP), resigned on Thursday so that Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham could replace him in his constituency through a by-election.
This would pave the way for Burnham's return to the House of Commons. He is widely seen as a potential challenger to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership in the Labour Party.
In Simons' resignation letter on social media, the Makerfield MP said the government failed to deliver the changes needed for his constituency, so he decided to "make way for a leader who has the radicalism, energy and immense courage to meet the moment."
Burnham later confirmed on social media that he would be requesting permission from Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
