Josh Simons, the Labour member of parliament for Makerfield, resigned on 15 May, explicitly stepping aside to allow Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to contest the resulting by-election and return to the House of Commons. The move is widely seen as the opening act of a potential leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose grip on the party is under acute strain.

Why Simons Resigned

In a resignation letter posted on social media, Simons said the government had failed to deliver the changes his constituency needed. He declared he was stepping aside to 'make way for a leader who has the radicalism, energy and immense courage to meet the moment' — language that left little ambiguity about his intent to back Burnham.

Burnham subsequently confirmed on social media that he would seek permission from Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to stand in the Makerfield by-election. Notably, the NEC had blocked a previous attempt by Burnham to return to Westminster earlier this year, making the committee's decision a critical next step.

Burnham's Road Back to Westminster

Burnham served as an MP for 16 years before becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017. Under Labour rules, becoming an MP is a precondition for contesting the party leadership — making the Makerfield by-election effectively a gateway to any leadership bid. According to reports, Burnham commands sufficient support within the parliamentary party to mount a credible challenge against Starmer, should he secure a seat.

Starmer Under Mounting Pressure

The Simons resignation comes as Starmer faces the most serious internal revolt of his premiership. Labour's poor performance in last week's local elections has emboldened critics, with reports indicating that more than 90 Labour MPs have called on the prime minister to step down. Several cabinet ministers, however, have publicly rallied behind him.

In a significant development on Thursday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, stating in his letter that he had 'lost confidence' in Starmer's leadership and could no longer remain in government 'honorably and on principle.' Streeting also implied that Starmer would not lead Labour into the next general election and urged the party to hold an open leadership debate.

Starmer said he was 'sorry' to see Streeting go and called on the party to rise to 'a battle for the soul of our nation.' On Wednesday, he had warned that a leadership challenge would plunge Labour into 'chaos' — a sign that the prime minister is aware of the scale of the threat he faces.

What Happens Next

The NEC's decision on whether to grant Burnham permission to stand in the Makerfield by-election will be the immediate flashpoint. A green light would set up a return to Westminster for one of Labour's most prominent figures and formally open the door to a leadership contest. A refusal — as happened earlier this year — would again delay Burnham's ambitions, but is unlikely to extinguish the broader pressure on Starmer. The coming days will test whether the prime minister can consolidate enough parliamentary support to survive the challenge.