Andy Burnham will be among the potential Labour candidates to stand in the Makerfield by-election, the party's ruling body has said.The Greater Manchester mayor 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 Mr Burnham.If successful, Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.

Andy Burnham will be among the potential Labour candidates to stand in the Makerfield by-election, the party's ruling body has said.The Greater Manchester mayor 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 Mr Burnham.If successful, Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.