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  "path": "/politics/when-is-the-makerfield-by-election-andy-burnham-labour-reform-uk",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-15T18:42:37.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Zack Polanski told not to challenge Andy Burnham's No10 plot amid ‘dire Reform threat’",
    "New data reveals impact of Andy Burnham standing in Makerfield and Reform's threat to Labour",
    "Nigel Farage vows to 'throw everything at stopping Andy Burnham' in showdown with PM's rival",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Makerfield by-election is expected to take place on June 18, giving Andy Burnham just 34 days to prepare for his potential return to Westminster.\n\nVoters in the Greater Manchester constituency will go to the polls after ex-minister Josh Simons announced he was stepping down as the MP for Makerfield.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Simons, who was once a staunch supporter of Sir Keir Starmer, made clear his decision was intended to assist Mr Burnham's leadership ambitions.\n\nHe said: \"I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Burnham almost immediately released his own statement to express his intention to put his name forward.\n\nLabour's National Executive Committee today confirmed it would not block Mr Burnham's candidacy, changing its position on the Greater Manchester Mayor's eligibility since rejecting his request to contest Gorton & Denton in February.\n\nA Labour spokesman said: \"Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.\"\n\nVoters in Makerfield last went to the polls on May 7, with eight wards in the constituency electing representatives to Wigan Borough Council.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Zack Polanski told not to challenge Andy Burnham's No10 plot amid ‘dire Reform threat’\n  * New data reveals impact of Andy Burnham standing in Makerfield and Reform's threat to Labour\n  * Nigel Farage vows to 'throw everything at stopping Andy Burnham' in showdown with PM's rival\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nReform UK recorded a clean sweep of wins across the eight wards, registering a total vote share of 50 per cent.\n\nHowever, new data released by Britain Elects suggests Mr Burnham's candidacy could ensure Labour holds onto the once-safe seat.\n\nHolding a by-election in Makerfield is expected to cost taxpayers around £226,208.\n\nMr Burnham would be forced to vacate his role as Manchester's metro mayor if he sees off the challenge from Reform UK.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA snap poll to elect his successor, which could be ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville, is expected to add another £4,719,754 to the total bill footed by taxpayers.\n\nSir Keir's Government has passed legislation to change the voting system for metro mayors, ending the first-past-the-post method adopted by the Tories.\n\nHowever, the proportional system has not yet received the all-clear, as it awaits the necessary secondary legislation needed to enact this change.\n\nMr Burnham, who is often touted as the \"King of the North\", represented Leigh in the House of Commons from 2001 to 2017.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 56-year-old left Westminster after two unsuccessful attempts to win the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015.\n\nMr Burnham cemented his position in Greater Manchester politics, receiving 64 per cent of the vote in the 2024 metro mayor election.\n\nHowever, the diehard Everton fan still harbours ambitions of becoming Prime Minister.\n\nHe is expected to face a challenge from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting if Labour MPs trigger a leadership coup against Sir Keir.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "When is the Makerfield by-election? Likely date revealed as Andy Burnham's No10 push faces crunch test"
}