Labour MP exits as Burnham prepares for leadership bid

London: Labour MP Josh Simons (L) has resigned from Parliament to pave the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Westminster amid growing speculation over the party’s future leadership.

Simons, 32, who represented Makerfield, described the move as the “most difficult decision” of his political career and urged constituents to trust Burnham to “rip up the existing system”.

The resignation has intensified debate within Labour over succession planning around PM Keir Starmer. Burnham and former health minister Wes Streeting are both seen as potential challengers to Starmer in any future leadership contest.

Burnham, currently Mayor of Greater Manchester, would need to return to the House of Commons before mounting a leadership bid. Simons’ exit is expected to trigger a by-election in Makerfield that could provide that opportunity.

Streeting’s allies said he intends to stand in any future Labour leadership race. The remarks came after Streeting said Burnham had “the best chance of winning” the Makerfield by-election.

Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell also backed Burnham, while warning Labour faced a “tough” contest against Reform UK.

Simons was regarded as one of Labour’s fastest-rising politicians. Before entering politics, he worked as an artificial intelligence research scientist at Meta and later headed the Labour Together think tank. He won the Makerfield seat two years ago and joined the Cabinet Office last September. However, he resigned from the ministerial role in February after reports revealed he had commissioned public affairs agency APCO to investigate journalists examining Labour Together’s funding.

Simons said at the time the controversy had become a distraction from the government’s work. His close ties with Home Secretary Shaba­na Mahmood and his previ­o­us controversy have divided opinion within Labour, thou­gh supporters described his resignation as a selfless move made in the party’s interest.

Earlier, Housing Secretary Steve Reed, a Starmer ally, urged his colleagues to “take a breath” after a “dreadful week” and said he did not expect a leadership challenge.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said it would be a “tough thing” for Starmer to survive as PM unless he shifts his position on energy and immigration.

Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said: “Starmer’s in trouble for two reasons, ener­gy and immigration. He’s very bad on energy.” “He should open up the North Sea. He’s got a gold mine and should open up oil in the North Sea, and he doesn’t.”