Josh Simons Unveils Year-Old Strategy to Propel Andy Burnham to Prime Ministership

JOSH Simons secretly met with Andy Burnham a year ago and told pals afterwards: “Keir Starmer is finished – the next PM has to be Andy.”

The Labour politician sensationally quit his Makerfield seat this week to allow a chance to challenge the PM – blindsiding No10.

Josh Simons sensationally quit as Labour MP to allow Andy Burnham to run to return to Westminster and challenge the PM for the keys to No10 Credit: UK PARLIAMENT/UNPIXS

Mr Simons has claimed he only made the decision this week after quizzing the at his home about his ideas for government.

But The Sun on Sunday can reveal that he actually spent A YEAR weighing up splitting from and throwing his weight behind for PM.

A Labour MP said: “He was talking about breaking with Keir last summer. He went to see Andy to speak to him about his ideas.

“Then he said the PM was finished and that the next leader had to be .”

The bombshell revelation came as:

:: Wes Streeting announced he WILL run for Labour leader as he launched a blistering attack on and called to rejoin the EU.

:: said he is running to “save Labour” and the party needs to return to its working class roots

:: Senior Keir loyalists privately admitted he would have to quit and there would be an “Andy coronation” if wins the Makerfield by-election

:: City insiders warned an premiership would trigger market meltdown.

stunned Westminster when he announced on Thursday that he was quitting so could run and have a tilt at the leadership.

His bombshell decision blindsided No10 and plunged Sir Keir’s premiership into turmoil.

Andy Burnham goes on a morning run – as he prepares to stand in a by-election and challenge Keir Starmer for the keys to No10 Credit: Getty Andy Burnham and Josh Simons in Makerfield, where Andy is set to run for LabourCredit: Refer to source

But now The Sun on Sunday can reveal that he has been toying with the decision since last August after a meeting at the pub with Mr Burnham.

The pair spent the sunny evening “sinking pints and putting the world to rights”.

Mr Simons had been impressed with before this after the Greater Manchester mayor helped him when his local area was flooded.

But it was this crucial evening on a balmy summer’s evening that left Mr Simons convinced Sir Keir was finished and onlycould save Labour.

A pal of said: “They sunk some pints and put the world to rights.

“He left thinking only could reconnect Labour with its northern, working class roots and fix the big problems facing Britain.

“He doesn’t think is the messiah. There is no saviour for Labour. But he thinks Andy can get things done and connect with people. And that really matters.”

Mr Simons was still a Cabinet Office minister at the time.

Embattled is battling to cling on to his job as PM after 96 Labour MPs called for him to quit over the local election bloodbath.

He has insisted he will not quit as PM, but even his closest allies privately admit he will have to go if Mr Burnham wins a byelection against Reform and returns to Westminster.

And No10 has ditched talk of having a decade in power.