Makerfield is set for a by-election after Josh Simons, the Labour MP for the long-held safe seat, announced his resignation to make way for Andy Burnham. The Greater Manchester Mayor confirmed his intention to stand, signalling a bold, high-stakes bid to re-enter Parliament and potentially challenge for the Labour leadership.
The announcement has plunged Labour into a period of heightened internal flux. Burnham, currently not a Member of Parliament, does not need to relinquish his mayoral duties to contest the by-election. Should he win, he would only resign as Mayor if he successfully secures a seat in Westminster. The timeline for the by-election is dictated by the formal moving of the writ, with voting expected between 21 and 27 working days thereafter, typically falling on a Thursday.
The contest in Makerfield, a constituency with a history of Labour dominance, is anything but assured. Recent local election results paint a stark picture: Reform secured over 50 per cent of the vote, with Labour trailing significantly at around 22.7 per cent. Projections based on these figures suggest a challenging battle, with some forecasts placing Reform ahead and others showing Labour with a narrow, "uncomfortable" lead. The leader of the Reform party has publicly stated his organisation will "throw absolutely everything" at the contest.
Read More: Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner's Complex Past Revealed
Burnham's allies are reportedly framing his choice of Makerfield as a deliberate strategy. The narrative suggests he has specifically targeted a constituency with a strong Reform presence to demonstrate his capacity to challenge the party's perceived rise. The constituency is geographically close to Leigh, a seat Burnham previously held.
This move is widely interpreted as a significant gamble. Sources indicate that a loss for Burnham would effectively end his leadership ambitions. Conversely, a victory could position him as a formidable contender, potentially uniting various factions within the Labour party, some of whom are privately expressing support for his leadership bid, contingent on his success in Makerfield. The Labour party's National Executive Committee (NEC) approval for his candidacy is a critical step. Failure to secure this could lead to accusations of cowardice against party leadership.
Read More: Farage property purchase under investigation after £5m gift
Background
The current political landscape within the Labour party is described as volatile, with discussions about leadership succession ongoing. Simons, the outgoing MP, is noted as not aligning with Burnham's faction of the party. Burnham himself has a past association with the think tank 'Labour Together', identified with the party's right wing. The by-election in Makerfield occurs just two years after the last general election, adding another layer of political consequence. Notably, the Green Party has indicated it will not contest the Makerfield by-election.
