Makerfield by-election candidates announced

Political parties have begun to announce their candidates for the forthcoming by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency of Makerfield.

The by-election was triggered when Labour MP Josh Simons announced he would step down.

Wigan Council has confirmed it will take place on Thursday 18 June,. five parties have so far named their candidates.

You can see all of these below - listed in alphabetical order by each candidate's surname. This list will be updated as more are announced.

The Labour Party has officially confirmed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as its candidate.

Burnham, a former Labour government minister, has been the region's metropolitan mayor since 2017.

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party has named its leader. co-founder - Alan Hope - otherwise known as Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope.

In a statement posted on social media. the party said: "We can confirm that our glorious leader Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope.. will be standing against Andy Burnham in the forthcoming election in Makerfield."

Reform UK has named Robert Kenyon as its candidate.

Kenyon is a self-employed plumber. stood in the constituency in the 2024 general election - coming second to Labour's Josh Simons.

The Restore Britain party has announced Rebecca Shepherd as its candidate.

Shepherd is a businesswoman and was the first candidate to be officially announced on Monday.

The Conservative Party has named Michael Winstanley as its candidate.

Winstanley was the mayor of Wigan in 2010/11.

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