Josh Simons quits to allow Burnham to re-enter parliament

Here is his resignation letter in full:

“Dear constituents,

“When I was elected, I promised that I would always put you first. That promise is why I am writing to you today.

“For me and my family, these towns have become home. A few weeks ago, my son was born in the Infirmary, where Wigan’s midwives and doctors saved his life. On the weekends, our kids do football and gymnastics, or join me at parades for St Georges or VE Day. Every week, I visit a local school, lead community meetings, and bang heads together to drive forward change that matters to you.

“Together, we are making progress. We are securing major flood defences to protect Platt Bridge, Abram, Bickershaw, Ashton, and Hindley. We are fighting to save Ashton Library and restore it as a community treasure. We are cleaning up the illegal waste dump in Bickershaw, so primary school kids can breathe again. We will build new roads, health centres in Orrell and Hindley Green, and a leisure centre in Hindley.

“But since I was elected, I have seen that Westminster and Whitehall are so often a barrier to getting things done – even as my own party is in power.

“The truth is, complacency has become a rot. The establishment is so far from the realities of your lives that too many tweak a failing system just to stay in power. As our world gets more insecure and our economy flatlines, Westminster stays stuck.

“It does not have to be this way. There is a different future for our towns – where there are good local jobs, we reindustrialise and back the trades, young people can afford to stay and build a life here, our town centres and parks are places we want to spend time in, and our kids inherit something better than what we did.

“But the route to this future requires breaking with what we have today. We need to shift the power that is stacked against places like ours. As I have said, I do not believe this government is delivering the urgent, radical, brave reform we need. We need a new direction.

“I believe that Andy Burnham can provide it. These towns are Andy’s home. He grew up and raised his children here and he has fought for us all his life. He stood by me to secure flood defences after the Platt Bridge floods. He demanded that the Bickershaw dump get cleaned up – and got results. Andy is from us and for us.

Current GM Mayor Andy Burnham (Image: NQ)

“I could not stand here and tell you that our politics is broken and things need to change, then stand in the way of supporting that change. That is why I have decided to put you, the people I represent, and the country I love, first.

“That means stepping aside as your MP for Makerfield to make way for a leader who has the radicalism, energy, and immense courage to meet the moment. A leader who is authentic, honest, and trusted, who says what he believes and does what he says. Someone who has the track record of delivering for working people, building alliances, and using the talents of colleagues from every part of the party. That is Andy.

“I want to be clear: I am stepping aside but I am not stepping away. Our home is here and I will be fighting to save Ashton Library, clean up the Bickershaw dump, secure flood defences and health provision in Orrell and Hindley Green, and deliver new roads. I will be a thorn in anybody’s side who stands in our way.

“But to get these things done, the Labour Party and the government must change. The way Westminster and Whitehall work must change. Our towns and communities – the places that built this country – must be at the heart of this change.

“This has been the hardest decision of my life. I have made it because without a shock to the Westminster system, I cannot deliver the change that I promised to you. If my Constituency Labour Party members select Andy, he can deliver that change.

“If you place your trust in him, we will restore our towns to the places they should be, rip up the existing system, and build a new one that puts you at the heart of it. With Andy, I will fight for that, and for you, every step of the way.”