Andy Burnham has been officially confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election, setting up a closely watched contest expected to take place on 18 June.
The Labour Party confirmed that no other candidates had been shortlisted for the seat, which became vacant after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned to allow Burnham to contest the constituency.
Burnham, who has served as mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, said he was “humbled” to have been selected and argued that communities in Makerfield had been overlooked by national politics for too long.
He said many residents believed “Westminster isn’t working for them” and pledged to make the area’s concerns heard more clearly in parliament.
The by-election is expected to attract national attention because of Burnham’s standing within Labour and speculation that a return to Westminster could position him for a future leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Burnham has also called on Labour to acknowledge that “the party has not been good enough”.
He said improving affordability would be a central priority, pointing to measures introduced during his time as mayor to reduce transport costs across Greater Manchester.
Labour suffered heavy losses in recent local elections in Wigan, where Reform UK secured 24 out of 25 seats, increasing pressure on the governing party ahead of the vote.
Reform UK confirmed local plumber Robert Kenyon as its candidate shortly after Burnham’s selection was announced.
Kenyon, who previously contested the constituency in the 2024 general election, accused Labour of relying on “career politicians” and claimed Burnham viewed Makerfield as a political “stepping stone”.
Reform leader Nigel Farage described the contest as a “David versus Goliath battle”.
Restore Britain has also selected local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd, while the Green Party and Conservatives are expected to announce candidates shortly.
Other confirmed candidates include Alan “Howlin” Laud Hope of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.