Simons stands aside for Burnham to clear path to Westminster return
Some Jewish Labour activists angered by move
Jewish Labour MP Josh Simons has stood down as MP for Makerfield, paving the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to seek a return to Westminster and mount a potential challenge to the Prime Minister.
Simons, who was elected in 2024 and quickly rose to become a ministerial aide before joining the Cabinet Office last September, announced he was stepping aside to “fight to re-enter Parliament” and “drive the change our country is crying out for.”
In a letter to constituents, Simons endorsed Burnham as a leader with “radicalism, energy, and immense courage to meet the moment,” adding: “We need a new direction.”
His resignation follows controversy earlier this year over his role in Labour Together’s commissioning of public affairs agency APCO to investigate journalists reporting on the thinktank’s activities and funding.
Simons admitted to personally commissioning and reviewing APCO’s work.
His prospects as local MP had also dimmed amid a surge in support for Reform UK, sparking speculation he may have been offered a role by Burnham in exchange for standing down.
The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee is expected to approve Burnham’s candidacy in the likely Makerfield by-election.
If selected, Burnham could face a stiff challenge, with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK threatening to mount a vigorous campaign.
Simons’s decision has angered some Jewish Labour activists, including Starmer and Streeting loyalists, who fear Burnham may have struck deals with hard-left MPs to bolster support for any future leadership bid.
Neal Lawson, chair of the Compass think tank, welcomed backing for Burnham from across Labour’s factions, calling it a “historic alliance” uniting the centre, soft left, and hard left “to save Labour’s soul.”
Burnham, a former Blairite who ran against Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader in 2015, has previously enjoyed good relations with communal groups in the north-west and supported Labour Friends of Israel.
During his 2015 leadership campaign, he pledged his first visit as leader would be to Israel and spoke out against “unjustified spitefulness” toward a country he described as supporting gay rights, trade union rights, and civil liberties.
However, there are concerns among some Labour activists that Burnham may now adopt a more antagonistic stance toward Israel to secure support from left-wing MPs such as John McDonnell.
He is already facing pressure from pro-Palestinian activists to pledge the repeal of legislation including the proscription of Palestine Action, should he succeed Starmer as Labour leader.
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