Labour MP Josh Simons to Resign

Josh Simons has announced he will resign as MP for Makerfield in order to allow Andy Burnham the opportunity to return to Parliament.

In a statement released on Thursday, Simons said stepping down had “not been an easy” decision but insisted the move was necessary for both his constituency and the country.

“Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield,” Simons said.

“I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home.”

Simons praised Burnham as the figure best placed to lead major reforms within the Labour Party and restore public confidence in politics.

“If elected, Andy could drive the change our country is crying out for,” he said.

The Labour MP warned that the party had lost the trust of many traditional supporters and argued that urgent reforms were needed.

“We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve,” Simons stated.

“It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference.”

He added that Labour faced a critical moment politically, saying the party had “one last chance” to deliver meaningful change by driving economic growth, strengthening border security and reforming government institutions.

“That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it,” Simons said.

Burnham, a former cabinet minister and ex-Labour leadership contender, currently serves as mayor of Greater Manchester and remains one of the party’s most prominent figures outside Westminster.

No official announcement has yet been made regarding whether Burnham intends to contest the Makerfield seat.