Burnham Opens Path to Challenge Starmer for Prime Minister’s Job

Andy Burnham secured a path to challenge Keir Starmer for the UK prime minister’s job, after a Member of Parliament quit to give the Greater Manchester mayor a run at his seat in the House of Commons.

The MP, Josh Simons, announced on Thursday that he was stepping aside in Makerfield “to make way for a leader who has the radicalism, energy and immense courage to meet the moment.” That freed up the seat Burnham would need to challenge Starmer’s position as Labour leader and UK premier.