🐑 sheep

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

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'

I’m struggling not to be angry with Burnham. He walked away during the tough Corbyn years, left it to others to save the Party. Chose not to stand as a MP at the last election when he knew he wouldn’t become Leader. And now he tries to waltz in and become Leader and PM.

Just a thought. Wes Streeting owes his political status to the support he’s received over years from Peter Mandelson & Morgan McSweeney at Labour Together. He wouldn’t make a move against Keir Starmer without Mandelson’s say so. So look on this as Mandelson’s & Morgan’s revenge.

Josh Simons has stood down to give Burnham a seat.. But MPs don't pick their successors ! Has to be a selection procedure , no guarantee he would be selected. And no guarantee he would be elected. So, no compunction about betraying the Manchester voters who elected him.

I do not have the energy for this. Can we not just have a summer free of political drama? 2026 has been insane globally and we don’t need more 😂

🦡 We're hearing the Cumbria cull is not continuing. No new licenses. A shift to vaccination. We're still waiting on official confirmation but on the ground, it's looking like the English badger cull has ended. Over 247,000 badgers lost. That number will never leave us.