Politics latest: Burnham handed two boosts in bid to return and challenge Starmer

"Education secretary Bridget Philipson told BBC Radio 4's The Week in Westminster programme that Mr Burnham would be a strong candidate but said Sir Keir had her full support. He's been a great mayor in Greater Manchester. I've worked with him really closely on everything from SEND reform to skills, further education, so I know he'll be a strong candidate in putting himself forward. She added: I'll be campaigning for whoever the Labour candidate is in the by-election in Makerfield. That's my responsibility."

"The prospect of a leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer is looming closer after Andy Burnham was cleared to run for selection in the Makerfield by-election. The Greater Manchester mayor is seeking to replace Josh Simons, who is standing down as an MP to make way for Mr Burnham to return to Parliament. Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), has granted Mr Burnham permission to stand in the selection process. Applications close on Monday and the NEC will endorse a candidate on Thursday. June 18 is thought to be the earliest date a by-election could take place."

"If he is successfully elected, Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir for the party leadership. While Makerfield is typically a safe seat for Labour, the party expects a stiff challenge from Reform UK this time around. Mr Simons secured a majority of just 5,399 over Nigel Farage's party at the 2024 general election. Since then, Labour's polling collapse and Reform's surge have seen their positions reverse."

"Andy Burnham has been cleared to stand in the upcoming by-election for Makerfield, paving the way for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. Mr Burnham won approval of Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to stand, having previously blocked him from running in February's by-election in Gorton and Denton, on Friday. The decision comes a day after Josh Simons announced"

Andy Burnham has been granted permission by Labour’s National Executive Committee to stand in the Makerfield by-election. The by-election is linked to Josh Simons standing down as an MP to allow Burnham to return to Parliament. Applications close on Monday, with the NEC expected to endorse a candidate on Thursday, and June 18 considered the earliest possible by-election date. Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said Sir Keir Starmer has her full support while describing Burnham as a strong candidate based on close work on SEND reform and skills and further education. Makerfield is typically a safe Labour seat, but Reform UK is expected to mount a tougher challenge after recent polling shifts.

Read at www.independent.co.uk