BREAKING: Labour MP to stand aside so Andy Burnham can return to Parliament

A Labour MP has sensationally announced he will step down - paving the way for Andy Burnham to return to Parliament. Former Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, MP for Makerfield, said the Greater Manchester Mayor is the right man to "drive the change our country is crying out for". The announcement will pile further pressure on Keir Starmer - who came in for criticism after Mr Burnham was blocked from standing in Gorton and Denton in February. Mr Burnham has been seeking a route back to the House of Commons so he can challenge under-pressure Mr Starmer for the Labour leadership. It comes hours after his potential rival, Wes Streeting, resigned as Health Secretary, saying the PM cannot continue until the next general election . Mr Simons wrote on X: “Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield. I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for." He added: "I am in politics because politics is how you change lives for the better. My party has one last chance to do that: deliver for the people and places I represent, drive economic growth, secure our borders, reform our state and politics, and change a status quo that is not working. “That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it."