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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Independent Reporters

Who is Josh Simons? The Labour MP stepping aside for Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham Josh Simons
  • Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has announced he will step down from his seat.
  • His resignation paves the way for Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, to potentially return to Parliament.
  • Makerfield is a historically strong Labour constituency, having been held by the party continuously since its creation in 1983.
  • Simons, who briefly served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital Government, secured the seat in the 2024 general election with a majority of 5,399 votes.
  • Andy Burnham has confirmed he will seek permission from Labour's ruling body to contest the upcoming by-election.

IN FULL

Starmer latest: Burnham seeks to stand in by-election paving way for Labour leadership challenge

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