Josh Simons Tipped for Head of Downing Street Policy Unit in Burnham Government

Former Makerfield MP Josh Simons, who resigned his seat in May to trigger a by‑election that returned Andy Burnham to Westminster, is being discussed for the role of head of Downing Street’s policy unit under the incoming Burnham administration. Simons, a former director of the Labour‑centre think‑tank Labour Together, helped run Burnham’s successful by‑election campaign and has been part of the prospective prime minister’s inner circle since May.

An ally of Simons told Reuters, “He would certainly be qualified for the Downing Street head of policy role… It’s a real meeting of minds.” Critics argue the optics of rewarding a MP who quit his seat look like political patronage. Simons previously stepped down as a Cabinet Office minister after a controversial report on journalists, though he was cleared of breaching the ministerial code. Burnham’s team has declined to comment, and formal appointments are expected only after Burnham is confirmed as prime minister later this month.