Why Is Andy Burnham Targeting the Makerfield By-Election?

By VirentaNews Staff — May 16, 2026

Smoke curls from takeaway shops along Wigan’s Northway as pensioners shuffle past betting shops with faded awnings, their footsteps echoing under a slate-gray sky. The town breathes a quiet resilience, the kind forged in the shadow of shuttered mines and repurposed factories. Yet, in this unassuming corner of Greater Manchester, political tremors are building. The sudden resignation of Josh Simons, Labour’s 31-year-old MP for Makerfield, has ripped open a fissure in the party’s northern heartland. Now, a familiar figure looms: Andy Burnham, the region’s outspoken mayor, whose face still beams from bus shelters and community center posters. As locals sip tea in back parlors and workers debate the news on factory floors, one question threads through the town — could Burnham trade his mayoral chains for a return to Westminster, and if so, what does it mean for Labour’s fragile grip on the North?

The Political Vacuum in Makerfield

Josh Simons announced his resignation on June 5, citing personal health reasons and a desire to spend more time with family, ending months of speculation over his increasingly sparse parliamentary appearances. Representing Makerfield since 2019, Simons held a 9,821-vote majority in a historically safe Labour seat — one that has voted Labour in every general election since 1918, except for a brief Conservative interlude in 1931. His departure triggers a by-election expected in late July, setting off a scramble within Labour ranks. Within hours of the announcement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed he was “seriously considering standing,” a move that has electrified both supporters and critics. Burnham, who once served as MP for Leigh (a neighboring constituency) from 2001 to 2017, has spent the past seven years consolidating power as mayor, championing regional devolution and high-profile campaigns on public health and transport reform. His potential candidacy would mark a dramatic reentry into national politics.

From Blairite Backbencher to Devolution Champion

Burnham’s political journey mirrors the broader evolution of the Labour Party. First elected during Tony Blair’s third landslide, he rose through the ranks as a Home Office minister under Gordon Brown and later ran for Labour leader in 2015, finishing fourth. But it was his 2017 mayoral victory — winning 63% of the vote in the inaugural Greater Manchester mayoral election — that redefined his career. Over the past decade, Burnham has become a symbol of pragmatic, locally rooted leadership, often clashing with Westminster over funding and pandemic-era restrictions. His administration secured control over transport, housing, and policing budgets, positioning Greater Manchester as a flagship for regional devolution. Meanwhile, the Labour Party has grappled with identity crises, electoral setbacks, and leadership turnover. The resignation of Simons — a rising star once seen as emblematic of Labour’s youth-driven renewal — underscores deeper tensions between centralized party control and regional autonomy. Burnham’s potential move into Makerfield is not just a personal ambition; it reflects a strategic calculation about where Labour’s future power lies.

The Players Shaping the Succession

At the center of the brewing contest is Burnham himself — a figure who commands loyalty in Greater Manchester but faces skepticism in Westminster corridors. Allies argue his mayoral record gives him unmatched credibility on issues like economic regeneration and social care. Critics, however, question whether a sitting metro mayor should abandon his post mid-term. Meanwhile, potential challengers are circling. Wigan Council leader David Molyneux, a veteran Labour figure, has hinted at a bid, as has disability rights campaigner and local nurse Amina Ali, who’s gaining grassroots traction. The Conservative Party, eager to exploit any Labour division, has named former army officer James Thornton as their prospective candidate, hoping to frame the race as a referendum on Burnham’s absenteeism from local issues. Behind the scenes, Labour’s National Executive Committee is closely monitoring the situation, wary of a divisive internal battle. Burnham’s decision will hinge not only on personal ambition but on whether party leaders in London see him as an asset or a threat.

Implications for Labour and the North

A Burnham candidacy would transform the by-election from a local formality into a national political event. His presence could boost voter turnout and energize Labour’s base, but it also risks alienating constituents who feel overlooked by a leader focused on regional governance. If he wins, questions will arise about who would succeed him as mayor — a role that lacks a direct line of succession. The outcome could influence Labour’s strategy in the upcoming general election, particularly in the so-called “Red Wall” seats across the North and Midlands. A strong performance in Makerfield might validate Burnham’s model of civic-focused leadership; a loss could weaken his national standing. Moreover, the by-election will test Labour’s ability to balance top-down party discipline with grassroots authenticity — a tension that has defined its struggles since 2019.

The Bigger Picture

This moment in Makerfield is about more than one seat or one politician. It reflects a broader realignment in British politics — the growing importance of regional leadership, the erosion of traditional party loyalty, and the search for authenticity in an age of political fatigue. As centralized authority in Westminster appears increasingly detached, figures like Burnham represent a counter-model: localized, visible, and responsive. The by-election may become a proxy battle over whether Labour’s future lies in reclaiming lost ground through national figures or empowering regional champions who govern close to the people.

Whatever Burnham decides, the ripple effects will stretch far beyond Wigan’s brick terraces and canal paths. If he runs and wins, he could emerge as a kingmaker in Labour’s next chapter. If he steps back, the party may face a quieter but equally consequential reckoning over who truly represents the North. The people of Makerfield, long accustomed to being overlooked, now find themselves at the center of a national conversation — and they’re watching closely.

Source: BBC