Labour MP to stand down to allow Burnham run for byelection amid leadership row
Greater Manchester mayor would need to win byelection to launch leadership challenge against Starmer • UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham now has a route back to parliament after a Greater Manchester MP announced he would stand down, triggering a byelection, and putting Burnham in contention to become the next Labour leader. The Greater Manchester mayor has been seeking to return to parliament for months, but was blocked by Keir Starmer from running in the Gorton and Denton byelectio
Greater Manchester mayor would need to win Josh Simons’s former seat to launch challenge against Starmer
UK politics live – latest updates
Andy Burnham now has a route back to parliament after the Labour MP for Makerfield announced he would stand down, triggering a byelection, and putting the senior politician in contention to become the party’s next leader.
The Greater Manchester mayor confirmed on Thursday he would be asking Labour’s ruling national executive committee to allow him to stand in the contest, putting a beleaguered Keir Starmer under intense pressure to not try to block him.
Coverage from 2 sources
- Labour MP to stand down to allow Burnham run for byelection amid leadership rowGuardian - World · Pippa Crerar Political editor · May 14, 2026, 6:16 PM
- Andy Burnham has path to challenge PM but must win byelection firstGuardian - World · Pippa Crerar, Kiran Stacey and Jessica Elgot · May 14, 2026, 8:20 PM
Coverage by lean
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