Labour confirms Andy Burnham as Makerfield by-election candidate

Political parties have begun naming candidates for the forthcoming by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency of Makerfield. The contest was triggered after Labour MP Josh Simons said he would step down to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham the chance to seek a return to the House of Commons. The date of the by-election has not yet been confirmed, but several parties have already moved to select their candidates.

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Labour has officially confirmed Burnham as its candidate. Burnham, a former Labour government minister, has served as the region's metropolitan mayor since 2017. Reform UK has named Robert Kenyon, a self-employed plumber who stood in Makerfield at the 2024 general election and finished second to Labour's Josh Simons.

The Restore Britain party has announced Rebecca Shepherd, a businesswoman, while the Official Monster Raving Loony Party has selected its leader and co-founder Alan Hope, also known as Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope. The candidate announcements give the by-election an early shape even before polling day is set. Makerfield is a Labour-held seat, and the move by Simons to stand aside has created an unusual opening for Burnham, who is already one of the best-known political figures in Greater Manchester.

The presence of candidates from Reform UK, Restore Britain and the Official Monster Raving Loony Party suggests the contest is likely to attract attention beyond the constituency itself. By-elections can matter beyond the immediate seat because they are often read as a test of party strength, local sentiment and the standing of national figures. In this case, the contest also carries added significance because Burnham is a senior regional politician seeking a route back to Westminster.

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That makes the race relevant not only to voters in Makerfield but also to Labour's wider internal and electoral calculations. Burnham has been the metropolitan mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017 and previously served as a Labour government minister. His candidacy links the by-election to the broader political role he has played in the region over recent years.

For Reform UK, the selection of Kenyon reintroduces a candidate who already contested the seat in 2024, while the other parties are using the contest to set out their presence in a seat that is now drawing wider interest. What remains unclear is the date of the by-election and whether more candidates will be announced in the coming days. The current list is expected to be updated as parties finalise their selections.

The main thing to watch is whether Burnham's candidacy changes the tone of the contest and how the other parties position themselves once the campaign formally begins.

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