LONDON – British Labour lawmaker Josh Simons announced Thursday he would resign his parliamentary seat to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to contest it, positioning him as a potential challenger to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield,” Simons posted on X. He added that he was standing aside so Burnham could “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.”
The move follows Labour’s Wes Streeting resigning as health minister earlier Thursday and calling for a leadership contest to oust Starmer. Simons cannot directly hand the seat to Burnham; a by-election must occur, opening the contest to rival parties.
Simons secured Makerfield in Greater Manchester in the 2024 election with a 5,399-vote majority over Reform UK’s candidate. Reform’s surging popularity amid Labour’s slump suggests a fierce battle ahead.