The Greater Manchester Mayor has been given permission by Labour's ruling body to enter the candidate selection process
Andy Burnham has received approval from Labour's ruling body to participate in the forthcoming candidate selection process for the Makerfield by-election. The Greater Manchester Mayor confirmed he would seek authorisation from Labour's National Executive Committee to contest the seat after Thursday's declaration by sitting MP Josh Simons that he would stand down from Parliament to make way for Mr Burnham's candidacy.spokesperson stated: "Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.
" Earlier today, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting endorsed Mr Burnham as Labour's "best chance" of securing victory in the Makerfield by-election, while the ex-health secretary's supporters indicated he would still compete in any contest for the party leadership, reports, Mr Burnham is extensively anticipated to mount a challenge against Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership. In a post on Friday, Mr Streeting supported his potential opponent's attempt to fight the approaching by-election, stating Labour requires "our best players on the pitch".
"Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person. " Despite his backing of Mr Burnham's campaign for Makerfield, supporters of Mr Streeting confirmed the ex-health secretary, who stood down on Thursday, would be a contender in any upcoming leadership race. They noted Mr Streeting had stated clearly in his resignation letter that he wished a contest to include "the broadest set of candidates possible".
Labour anticipates a formidable challenge from Reform UK in Makerfield, with Mr Simons achieving a majority of merely 5,399 overoutfit at the 2024 general election. Subsequently, Labour's polling slump and Reform's rise have seen their fortunes reversed. This month's local elections witnessed Reform claim every council ward within the Makerfield constituency, capturing roughly half the vote, while Labour secured only slightly more than a quarter.
However, Mr Burnham could capitalise on his substantial personal support throughout the North West, where he commands a net favourability rating of 24% according to pollster Ipsos – significantly higher than any of the party leaders or the Labour Party itself. Speaking to BBC Manchester on Friday, Mr Simons himself recognised the contest would be "a really, really, really tough fight", adding he did not know what the result would be.
He said: "Sometimes in history, when people take risks and they say, 'I think this is the right fight to have, but I don't know if we're going to win it', that's what changes the story. That's what changes the course of things.
" The election could also prove costly, particularly as a win for Mr Burnham would trigger a further by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty. A by-election in Makerfield alone could set taxpayers back as much as £226,000 — the maximum the area's returning officer is entitled to claim from the Treasury to cover the expenses of running the vote.
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