Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is standing as Labour's candidate in a by-election in Makerfield on 18 June 2026. The by-election was called after the sitting MP, Josh Simons, resigned from Parliament.

Makerfield covers parts of the Wigan borough in Greater Manchester. Burnham's candidacy was confirmed on 17 June, though there had been speculation about whether he would run for some weeks before.

Burnham is not a new name in this area. He has been Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, which means he has worked on local issues like transport and housing across the region. Before that, he was an MP for Leigh — a constituency next to Makerfield — and served in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Running for Parliament again through a by-election is an unusual path for someone at his level, but it has happened in Labour's modern history.

Labour is the strong favourite in Makerfield. The seat has elected Labour MPs at every general election since it was created, and Josh Simons won it with a large majority in 2024. If Burnham wins, he would return to the Commons with a known public profile and a track record of delivering things on the ground — something most by-election candidates do not have.

What happens after election day is a separate question. Becoming a backbencher — an ordinary MP without a special role — would be unusual for someone of Burnham's experience. The more important question is whether he will seek a role on Labour's front bench or in government, and how soon. That will be for the parliamentary Labour Party and the Prime Minister to decide.

One broader point worth noting: Burnham's move raises questions about how mayors and MPs relate to each other in England's system of government. The current rules do not clearly say whether someone can do both jobs at the same time, or whether Burnham will step down as Mayor if he wins. That decision will matter for how people understand his position.

Polls close at 22:00 BST. The count is expected to run overnight.