MP Josh Simons Steps Aside for Andy Burnham
Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has stepped down to provide an opportunity for Andy Burnham to challenge the prime minister. Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, Simons described the chance as "too big an opportunity to miss".
Simons revealed he spoke with Burnham earlier in the week and said:
"I just couldn't say no".
He officially stepped down on Thursday, enabling the Greater Manchester mayor to stand as a parliamentary candidate. At the previous election, Simons secured the seat with a majority of 5,399 votes over Reform candidate Robert Kenyon.
The 32-year-old father of three, who has served as an MP for only two years, called the decision to step down "the most difficult decision of my life".
He explained the choice was made jointly with his wife, stating:
"It was a decision I took with my wife. We decided as a family.
We've been speaking about this for a few days. It's been incredibly fast, if I'm honest."
Simons also commented on the state of the Labour Party, describing it as "imploding". He said:
"We were heading for a leadership election with the Labour Party spit into different factions, and there was no hope, no energy that anything would change
He highlighted the significance of the Wigan area, noting:
"Labour needs to change and the whole government needs to change"
"Wigan is where Andy Burnham has lived for 25 years and he was coming home."
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