Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has initiated a significant political maneuver to return to Westminster, seeking to become prime minister and address Labour’s autumn party conference. This ambition hinges on winning the Makerfield by-election, a seat recently vacated by Josh Simons, who stepped aside to pave Burnham's path. Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) has granted Burnham permission to stand in the candidate selection process, a notable reversal from their earlier decision in February to block his bid for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Simons' resignation on Thursday was pivotal, influenced by his growing disillusionment with mainstream politics and a belief that Burnham's radical reform agenda is essential for the country. He described his decision as a significant personal sacrifice, made after in-depth discussions with Burnham about his plans for government and economic strategy. The NEC’s swift approval, coming even before a formal application, underscores a shift in party dynamics amid widespread calls for leadership change following Labour's recent disastrous local election results and numerous MPs urging Keir Starmer to quit.

The Makerfield by-election presents a formidable challenge. Historically a Labour stronghold, the constituency has recently seen a dramatic surge in support for Reform UK. In last week's local elections, Reform won every council ward within the Makerfield constituency, securing around half the vote, while Labour managed just over a quarter. Josh Simons won the seat in 2024 with a majority of only 5,399 votes, making it a highly vulnerable