I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.
Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.
Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.
However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.
Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.
I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.
Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.
ENDS
Craig Pawson really shouldn’t be refereeing Everton’s next game or any Everton game, ever again ❌
⚪️ Craig Pawson has a vendetta against Everton FC, even neutral football people like Neil Warnock @warnockofficial have publicly admitted “It's known in the game—Craig Pawson has an agenda against Everton, he’s got something with Everton him!”
🔵 Every time Craig Pawson takes charge of an Everton game he makes a ridiculous decision against Everton that the @FA_PGMOL have to apologise for or he gets demoted to fourth official the following week:
1) On VAR ludicrously advised to send DCL off against Crystal Palace when the referee didn’t even give a foul (this was later overturned after a @FA_PGMOL apology) - Jan 2024 ‼️
2) Refused to give Konate blatant 2nd yellow v Liverpool after sending off Ashley Young for 2 yellows in the first half - Oct 2023 ⚠️
3) Sent Allan off against against Newcastle, even Shearer admitted “That is never a red card” - March 2022 ❌
4) Refused to give a penalty when Dan Burn wiped out DCL from behind as he was about to score. Audio revealed Pawson didn’t listen to VAR and spoke over them convincing VAR that DCL somehow kicked Burn, he didn’t and Pawson was demoted to fourth official for 2 weeks - Oct 2024 🔉
5) Pawson didn’t give 2 clear penalties after Alcaraz and Beto were brought down in the box at Notts Forest. Even Mark Clattenburg called these claims a "big error" post-match, saying they should have been given - April 2025 🥅
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Take a guess which team Craig Pawson has gave a record of 5 red card to.. yep, it’s Everton. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
In comparison, Pawson has never gave a red card to any Liverpool or Man United players, ever. 🤯
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Everton have won just 5 in 27 with Pawson in charge, a win rate of just 18.5%, Everton’s lowest of any referee. 📉
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Michael Ball @bally03 (Liverpool Echo, 2024) “Time and time again, Pawson has made seven or eight huge decisions that have gone against Everton... Why does he keep getting our games?" 🗞️
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Pawson was demoted to UEFA's second-tier list in June 2024 after a "controversial season" e.g Everton incidents and Chelsea goal ⬇️
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As well as Craig Pawson being a terrible referee, there’s just too many controversial decisions made by him against Everton and the numbers - as well testimonies of neutral football football people - support the view that something isn’t right and Pawson needs to be taken off all Everton games in future @FA_PGMOL