Streeting backs Burnham to be Makerfield by-election candidate | Live coverage and analysis
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has backed Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to be the candidate in a by-election in Makerfield.
The seat was made available by Labour MP Josh Simons, who decided to stand down to allow Burnham to attempt a return to Westminster.
Burnham will request permission from Labour's National Executive Committee to stand in the by-election. He has tried this before in the Gorton and Denton by-election but was blocked by the committee.
Streeting resigned from government and told Sir Keir Starmer that "it is clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election", but did not launch a formal leadership challenge.
Angela Rayner settled her unpaid tax bill, paving the way for her to stand in any race.
Live updates ➡️ https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-local-elections-england-scotland-wales-2026-starmer-12593360
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