Analysis: Andy Burnham’s route back to Commons has become clearer, but can he win Makerfield? Just nowHenry Zeffiman, Chief political correspondentIain WatsonPolitical correspondentHarry FarleyPolitical correspondentandJoe PikePolitical investigations correspondentGetty ImagesTwo major hurdles to Andy Burnham’s return to parliament have been cleared. It was unlikely that Sir Keir could have repeated the move after a week when nearly a third, including the Health Secretary and four ministers called for the resignation of the prime minister. Reform UK was second to Labour in the last general election with just under a third. At a glance: Starmer fights for his position as prime ministerFour important excerpts from Streeting’s resignation letterHow would the Labour leadership contest work.Josh Simons is the Labour MP in Makerfield who will step down to make room for Burnham. He is not the same wing as him. He is a close friend of Shabana Mahmood who’s immigration reforms are controversial among the Labour left. Burnham’s supporters have branded him a unity candidate. They hope that this will increase pressure on Sir Keir, to set a deadline for his departure from Downing Street. But others in the Labour wings and factions privately said they would support Burnham as leader if he wins the by-election. This includes those who previously backed other leadership rivals. One minister said: “I believe Josh [Simons] just gave the Labour Party an opportunity to win back the trust of British people.” “When asked if they supported Burnham becoming leader, a minister replied that “If he [wins] the by-election] then we are all supporters.” “Another Minister, who supported Sir Keir’s continuation as recently as last Wednesday, said that “it’s Burnham, if he is able to beat Reform.” “Another member of parliament, from the right, said Simons’s decision was “politically courageous” and “allows to settle the issue of whether Andy Burnham is right for prime minister for good and for ever.” Lucy Powell, Labour Deputy Leader and a close friend to Burnham, expressed her support on Friday. She said that she “fully supported” him as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield by election, adding that she had “good authority” to say there would be no attempt to prevent him from running. “Andy Burnham is a key member of that team in my opinion. “ReutersIt’s not a consensus. Luke Akehurst, a prominent figure on the right of Labour Party, said that: “This level internal game-playing risks driving us to a General Election in months, and causing months of profound political instability with real world consequences for economy and national safety. To put it mildly, I am not impressed. “Another said, “It’s disgraceful behavior by both [Simons] and Burnham.” We are the Labour Party. We are not about a single person or ego. “The short-term result is likely to paralyze the government. The focus will soon turn to the Makerfield by-election. It will likely be a strange race. Burnham’s long-held ambitions will be over if he fails to win. Burnham’s long-held ambitions will be over if he fails to win.
