'We're going to really change things and put the country on a different path'
Andy Burnham said today he would 'fight to the highest level' if he succeeds in contesting then winning the Makerfield by-election, amid speculation he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer to be was granted permission on Saturday by Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee , to stand in the selection process.
Applications close on Monday and the NEC will endorse a candidate on Thursday, with June 18 thought to be the earliest date a by-election to replace Josh Simons, who is standing down to make way for Mr Burnham's potential return to Parliament, could take place. Speaking out publicly for the first time since the news broke, Mr Burnham said: "We're going to really change things and put the country on a different path.
" He said he wanted to contest a seat where he had a 'connection' - and described the Prime Minister coming under pressure after the, the former Leigh MP said: "The issue is winning. Winning a by-election with what I'm saying, you know, it's not about, you know, necessarily the next thing. I hope people will say I’ve made a whole career fighting for people in this part of the world.
"I fought for compensation for the miners when I was an MP for Leigh. I fought for justice for the Hillsborough families. I fought Boris Johnson in the pandemic when he was treating people here in Makerfield as second class citizens.
"That's what I've done. I've taken that fight to another level as mayor and yes, I will carry on taking that fight to the highest level. And you know, that’s the way I’ve done my politics and done my journey.
"So it’s first and foremost, though, about this place. Isn’t it about time that people focus on here and say, right, why hasn’t Westminster changed people’s lives here and then start to tell them what we’re going to do to make that happen?
" He said: "I’ve been in politics 25 years and I’ve heard this cry about ‘we’re fed up, politics isn’t working, Westminster isn’t answering things’. I’ve seen this frustration build all of those years and the gap between politicians and the public is as wide as it’s ever been.
"I don’t blame anyone who’s left our party and voted for other parties. You know, I really don’t. Our party needs to do better and it’s kind of where I’m coming from in this campaign.
"I’m going to be really honest about that. On doorsteps, I’m not going to spend my time point scoring. I’ll be saying no, I’m hearing you. We’re going to really change things and put the country on a different path.
” While Makerfield is typically a safe seat for Labour, the party expects a stiff challenge from Reform UK this time around. Mr Burnham said: "I was very deliberate in speaking to Josh and both of us have got the same diagnosis. I was the MP for Leigh years ago, Josh the MP for Makerfield. We have both felt the frustration of facing a Westminster system that just does not have answers for these streets, these communities.
"And you know, we both feel a big change moment is needed. And I wouldn’t have just gone anywhere like a carpet bagger, you know, any old constituency.
"It matters to me that I have a connection. I live literally on the edge of this constituency. My kids went to school a few hundred yards down the road. I know people here, I know how they think, how they feel.
"I want to do whatever I can to make Labour a party that they can believe in again. A party that’s solidly on the side of working-class people.
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Politics Wigan Makerfield By-Election 2026 Leigh
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