{"id":2602791,"date":"2026-05-14T15:13:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pressure-mounts-on-starmer-as-labour-mp-resigns\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T15:14:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:14:30","slug":"pressure-mounts-on-starmer-as-labour-mp-resigns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pressure-mounts-on-starmer-as-labour-mp-resigns\/","title":{"rendered":"Pressure mounts on Starmer as Labour MP resigns"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpressure-mounts-on-starmer-as-labour-mp-resigns%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2602791&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Labor MP, Josh Simons, announced his resignation as MP for Makerfield, triggering a by-election in the safe Labour seat.The move is seen as creating a path for Greater manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Westminster, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as unrest grows inside the party.<\/p>\n<p>Burnham confirmed he will seek permission from Labour\u2019s national Executive Committee to stand as the party\u2019s candidate, arguing that \u201cGreater Manchester-style\u201d politics could help <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >deliver broader national change<\/a>.The decision follows months of speculation about Burnham\u2019s potential return, after Starmer repeatedly blocked attempts that would allow him back into Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>The declaration comes amid additional strain on Starmer, including the resignation of his health secretary, who said they had \u201clost confidence\u201d in Starmer\u2019s \u201cheavy-handed\u201d approach. Labour has also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-pandemic-killed-1-6-million-tourism-jobs-across-asia-in-2020\/\" title=\"Report: Pandemic Killed 1.6 Million Tourism Jobs Across Asia in 2020\">suffered major setbacks<\/a> in recent local elections, and more than 90 Labour MPs have reportedly urged Starmer to step down, though Starmer has resisted and says labour\u2019s leadership challenge process has not been triggered.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/labour\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11586\">Labour<\/a> Member of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/british-parliament\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1020\">Parliament<\/a> announced his resignation on Thursday in a move that could pave the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Westminster, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/keir-starmer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3660\">Keir Starmer<\/a> amid growing unrest within the party.<\/p>\n<p>Josh Simons said he would step down as MP for Makerfield, triggering a by-election in the safe Labour seat. Burnham later confirmed he plans to seek approval from Labour\u2019s National Executive Committee to run as the party\u2019s candidate, framing the move as a chance to bring \u201cGreater Manchester-style\u201d politics to the national stage.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4568471\/former-zelensky-aide-jail-corruption-charge\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Former Zelensky aide jailed over corruption charges<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4568502\/cuba-completely-out-fuel-us-sanction-absolutely-nothing\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cuba has completely run out of fuel due to US sanctions: \u2018There\u2019s absolutely nothing\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4568231\/israel-sues-new-york-times-allegation-palestinian-prisoner-abuse\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Israel sues New York Times over allegations of Palestinian prisoner abuse<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The development follows months of speculation about Burnham\u2019s return to Parliament, after Starmer repeatedly blocked attempts for his return to Westminster. The prime minister\u2019s leadership has come under mounting strain in recent weeks following poor local election results and growing calls within Labour for a change in direction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Starmer suffered another blow Thursday when his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4568072\/uk-health-secretary-resigns-challenge-starmer-leadership\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4568072\/uk-health-secretary-resigns-challenge-starmer-leadership\/\">health secretary resigned<\/a>, saying he had \u201clost confidence\u201d in the prime minister\u2019s \u201cheavy-handed\u201d leadership.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI do not believe this government is delivering the urgent, radical, brave reform we need,\u201d Simons wrote in his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PolitlcsUK\/status\/2054958683893743885\/photo\/1\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PolitlcsUK\/status\/2054958683893743885\/photo\/1\">resignation letter<\/a>. \u201cWe need a new direction. I believe that Andy Burnham can provide it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a social media post, Burnham <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndyBurnhamGM\/status\/2054964815626477773\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndyBurnhamGM\/status\/2054964815626477773\">confirmed<\/a> he would pursue the candidacy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election,\u201d Burnham wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester,\u201d he added. \u201cMuch bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Labour suffered heavy losses in recent local elections, with dozens of council seats falling to populist Reform UK and the Conservatives. <\/p>\n<p>Senior Labour figures have increasingly questioned Starmer\u2019s leadership, with more than 90 Labour MPs out of the party\u2019s 403 lawmakers <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4560396\/keir-starmer-refuses-calls-step-down-despite-uk-election-labor-losses\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4560396\/keir-starmer-refuses-calls-step-down-despite-uk-election-labor-losses\/\">calling for Starmer to step down<\/a> in recent days, though the prime minister has insisted he intends to remain in office.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4564219\/starmer-resists-calls-resign-labour-party-lose-local-elections\/\">STARMER RESISTS RESIGNATION CALLS AFTER LABOUR PARTY LOSES LOCAL ELECTIONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Starmer has not publicly responded to the latest resignation. Earlier this week, he downplayed speculation about his political future.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered,\u201d Starmer said Tuesday. \u201cThe country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Labour MP Josh Simons resigns, paving way for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster, boosting pressure on Keir Starmer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2602792,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26110516664607.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[33714,33958,44893,5894,70307],"class_list":["post-2602791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-keir-starmer","tag-labour-party","tag-leadership-crisis","tag-politics","tag-uk-parliament"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26110516664607.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2602791"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2602799,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602791\/revisions\/2602799"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2602792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2602791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2602791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2602791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}