Burnham rules out early election in the next 12 months

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 20:33 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling a general election within the next 12 months. He told broadcasters: "I don't know how many times I've done this now but yes, I can rule out calling a general election in the next 12 months." The next UK general election must be held by August 2029, but speculation has mounted that the Prime Minister may seek an earlier poll.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has suggested Burnham may go to the country early, arguing the Conservative Party is "coming back" after slumping in popularity at the end of 14 years in government. She told BBC South East: "I do think Andy Burnham is going to call an election sooner than he is saying." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said in September he believed there would be an election "next spring", describing Burnham as "the messiah without a mandate".

Burnham was elected MP in June at the Makerfield by-election before securing the Labour Party leadership and becoming Prime Minister after Sir Keir Starmer lost the support of Labour MPs and quit Downing Street. The Prime Minister said he was focusing on people over the Labour Party, adding: "I'm not thinking about myself. I'm not thinking about my own party and its prospects."

According to the Evening Standard, Burnham also acknowledged that his first Budget as Prime Minister was not as radical as he had hoped, citing the impact of the Iran war and global headwinds. He told ITV that Chancellor John Healey decided to go early with the Budget to "close down some of the speculation". The Budget included measures to shore up households and businesses against price rises, while raising taxes on banks and gambling to fund the support.

How it is being reported

• Burnham acknowledges Budget ambitions constrained by global turmoilThe Prime Minister also appeared to have softened his stance on not holding an election until 2029, saying only that he will not call one in 2027.Evening Standard · 30 Oct, 14:37
• Burnham acknowledges Budget ambitions constrained by global turmoilThe Prime Minister also appeared to have softened his stance on not holding an election until 2029, saying only that he will not call one in 2027.Evening Standard · 30 Oct, 14:10
• Burnham rules out calling early electionBurnham rules out calling early electionTelegraph Business · 28 Oct, 19:02
• Burnham rules out early general election in next 12 monthsThe prime minister has denied speculation from some opposition parties that he will go to the country in spring 2027.BBC News · 28 Oct, 18:41

In this story: Andy Burnham · Kemi Badenoch · Nigel Farage · John Healey · Keir Starmer · Labour Party · Conservative Party · Reform UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log