politics
'Why I stood down as an MP for Andy Burnham'
Key takeaways
- Josh Simons, the Makerfield Labour MP, told BBC Radio Manchester he spoke to Burnham earlier this week, adding: "I just couldn't say no".
- Simons stood down on Thursday, allowing the Greater Manchester mayor to put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate.
- He won the seat by 5,399 votes over Reform candidate Robert Kenyon at the last election.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Paul Burnell North West UK Parliament via PA Media Josh Simons is a former government junior minister The MP who has stepped down as an MP to allow Andy Burnham a chance to challenge the prime minister has said it "was too big an opportunity to miss".
Josh Simons, the Makerfield Labour MP, told BBC Radio Manchester he spoke to Burnham earlier this week, adding: "I just couldn't say no".
Simons stood down on Thursday, allowing the Greater Manchester mayor to put himself forward as a parliamentary candidate.
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