Andy Burnham is Labour’s “best chance” of winning the “tough” Makerfield by-election, Wes Streeting has said as Labour’s ruling body prepares to decide on the Manchester mayor’s candidacy.
Mr Burnham declared he would seek permission from Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) to contest the by-election after the current MP, Josh Simons, announced on Thursday he would quit Parliament to make way for the mayor.
If successful, the Greater Manchester mayor is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.
In a tweet on Friday, Mr Streeting backed his potential rival’s bid to fight the impending by-election, saying Labour needed “our best players on the pitch”.
He said: “The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned.
“Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”
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