Jon Tonge

The NEC has published the timetable for the Makerfield by-election selection process with the candidate being announced on 21 May. Members can apply to the seat from today, we don't yet know who else other than Burnham will seek selection - DM us if you have any information!

EXCLUSIVE: Labour Party officers have agreed by majority to allow Andy Burnham to stand as a candidate in the Makerfield by-election, LabourList understands. The rest of the NEC are expected to ratify the decision in a meeting on Tuesday

Ten years of elections in the Greater Manchester borough of Wigan Makerfield makes up ~1/3 of this in terms of parliamentary constituencies Undeniably there is an advantage to having Andy Burnham on the ballot

We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them. The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned. Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.

I hear Labour plans to hold the Makerfield by-election on 2 July or 9 July. That seems a bit late to me. I'd get on with it quickly if I were Labour.

@MichaelLCrick Immediately after a World Cup exit? Brave.

In hypothetical head-to-heads against Reform UK led by Farage, Labour led by Starmer, Burnham, Streeting or Rayner comes out ahead.

I’m hearing the NEC isn’t as sewn up for Burnham as many are reporting. The vote is on a “knife edge” I’m told by sources close to the decision making body. “Everyone is wavering.” Number 10 might be briefing it is comfortable with shortlisting Burnham, but that’s not to say the 9 member officer committee agrees. “I don’t think any of us are taking notice of what [Number 10] are saying”, I’m told. NEC officers now expected to decide on Sunday or Monday.

To clarify re Burnham (re 5 Live interview earlier): He remains Mayor of Gtr Man until/if he is elected MP for Makerfield. At that point he would legally forfeit his mayoral position and a GM Mayoral by-election process begins. If he loses in Makerfield he could continue as mayor

Really feels that if Burnham wins Makerfield there could be a Labour coronation. We’ll have never seen a by-election like it before. For all intents and purposes, a direct prime ministerial election, in a single constituency.

If a Vice-Chancellor wants to step aside for me, we won’t even need a by-election thanks.

“Most by-elections aren’t as significant as they seem - this one is the most significant in post-war British history” Political historian Steve Richards assesses the impact of Andy Burham's bid to return to Westminster by standing in the Makerfield by-election #Newsnight

Wigan part of GM: Burnham 44,927 v Reform 7,826.

As per @hzeffman the PM will clear the way for Andy Burnham to run in Makerfield. No NEC issue

2024 GM Mayoral Election: Burnham 420,749 v Reform 49,532

BREAKING: Keir Starmer will not seek to block Andy Burnham from becoming Labour candidate in Makerfield - paving his way for return to Parliament and leadership bid. “Keir is focused on bringing the party together so it can tackle the issues facing working families,” an ally said.

Indeed. As have said I’m sceptical about how useful MRPs and UNS are given Burnham factor and by election uniqueness. To try and show why for sake of argument if you apply Burnham’s overperformance in 2024 relative to the GE to our MRP Labour move back ahead.

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics. Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic. Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures. However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people. Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place. I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again. ENDS

Worth bearing in mind this, from our story on Tuesday: Burnham could be thrown another lifeline - even without the support of a majority of NEC officers. Senior Labour sources said the decision about whether he could re-stand could be opened up to the whole NEC. One said: “I suspect next time round, it might not just be officers. I think it’s probably of such importance that it will have to go to the full NEC. “I think people are increasingly open to a full and fair contest. The more open the contest and the more people we can have on the ballot, the better we can reflect members’ wishes.”

Josh Simons is explicit - he says he is standing aside so that Andy Burnham can make a comeback 'I do not believe this government is delivering the urgent, radical, brave reform we need. We need a new direction 'I believe that Andy Burnham can provide it. These towns are Andy's home. He grew up and raised his children here and has fought for us all his life 'I have decided to put you, the people I represent and the country I love, first. That means stepping aside as your MP for Makerfield to make way for a leader who has the radicalism, energy and immense courage to meet the moment 'A leader who is authentic, honest and trusted, and who says what he believes and does what he says. Someone who has the track record of delivering for working people, building alliances, and using the talents of colleagues from every part of the party. That is Andy'