Burnham launches new Westminster bid as Labour MP stands down - but Farage pledges to throw everything at by-election

Want LBC stories before everyone else? Set us as your Preferred Source on Google

Mr Simons stood down from his seat in the constituency of Makerfield in Wigan on Thursday, to allow Mr Burnham to "return to his home" and "fight to re-enter Parliament".

But his victory is far from assured, after Reform hoovered up votes in the area last week in the local elections.

Nigel Farage, Reform's leader, took to X to declare: "We look forward to the Makerfield by-election. Reform will throw absolutely everything at it."

The announcement comes just hours after Wes Streeting penned his resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer, as a leadership contest becomes increasingly likely.

Just minutes after Mr Simons announced his departure, Mr Burnham released a statement on X confirming his intenton to stand in the by-election.

The mayor said: "I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

Read more: LIVE: Wes Streeting quits as Health Secretary with swipe at Starmer as Labour civil war escalates

Read more: Angela Rayner cleared of tax misconduct by HMRC, paving the way for leadership bid

"I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.

"Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours.

"I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.

"Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics.

"We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.

"However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again."

He added: "This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people."

Mr Burnham was previously blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-elction earlier this year by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC).

He had required formal permission from the NEC to run as Labour's candidate for the Parliamentary seat, but the ten-person panel voted eight to one against him.

But the mayor is set to revive the opening of his return to Westminster as Sir Keir faces mounting pressure from colleagues to stand aside.

Mr Burnham added in his statement: "Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years.

"After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.

"I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been.

"He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times.

"We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again."

In his own post on X, Mr Simons wrote: "For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment.

"We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve. It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference.

"That must start with a change in leadership. Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield.

"I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for."

He added the decision had not been an easy one but added he believes "Andy is the one to lead [the fight]".

While Mr Streeting's resignation from the government earlier today has led to doubt around Sir Keir's future, it is not yet clear whether he would have the 81 Labour MPs needed to announce a formal challenge against the Prime Minister.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, armed forces minister Al Carns and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham are seen as possible contenders to challenge the leadership in an election.