- Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has announced his intention to stand in the Makerfield by-election, stating his aim is to "save" Labour. Burnham's participation in the candidate selection process for Makerfield brings him closer to potentially challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
- Meanwhile, Wes Streeting confirmed his intention to stand, should a Labour leadership contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer be triggered, saying he would stand in any potential contest, following his recent resignation as the country's Health Secretary.
- In his first speech since resigning, Streeting outlined his political platform, notably advocating for the UK to eventually rejoin the European Union, describing leaving it as a “catastrophic mistake”.
- He emphasised the need for a “proper contest” with the “best” candidates, suggesting that rushing a leadership election without allowing Andy Burnham to return to Parliament would undermine the new leader's legitimacy.
- Streeting criticised the Labour Party's past “overcautiousness” and warned that the party risks becoming “the handmaiden of Nigel Farage” if it fails to change course and confront issues like racism and antisemitism.
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