Andy Burnham Rules Out Early UK General Election If He Becomes Prime Minister

Andy Burnham ruled out calling an early general election if he becomes prime minister later this month, telling an online Ask Me Anything session on Reddit: "No. As I said in my speech on Monday, I'm going to work to the 2024 manifesto."

The BBC said the newly elected MP for Makerfield could become prime minister on 20 July, with the last general election held on 4 July 2024 and the next election due by August 2029.

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Euronews reported Burnham is the only candidate to replace Keir Starmer after Starmer resigned as Labour leader and prime minister last month, and that Burnham pledged to stick to the ruling party's most recent manifesto.

Euronews also said Burnham told Reddit he would "100 percent" give Ukraine the same level of support as Starmer, and that he indicated he wanted to continue efforts to broker closer EU ties.

The BBC added that Burnham confirmed he would seek to negotiate a returns agreement for failed refugees, including with Taliban-run Afghanistan, while also saying he would not scrap the triple lock on the state pension.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Burnham’s approach to the press during the same Reddit exchange, writing: "Whilst you’re answering softball questions on Reddit, I’ve been in Yorkshire answering questions from the press."

Burnham replied to Badenoch: "Fair challenge, Kemi - but don't forget it's only two weeks since I faced questions from 74,000 members of the public of Makerfield!"

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The BBC said Badenoch has called on Burnham to fund a shortfall in the defence investment plan if he enters No 10, or to call an election, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for an election "as soon as possible" after Starmer’s resignation.

In a separate account, the Manchester Evening News said Burnham responded to claims he was "hiding" from the press and urged people to "ask me anything" after being accused by Badenoch.

Euronews reported that in the Reddit session Burnham fielded questions ranging from electoral reform to foreign policy, including his support for reforming Britain’s first-past-the-post system.

Burnham said there was room for movement on tax despite pledging to keep Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitments not to increase workers’ income tax, national insurance or VAT rates, telling LBC that he could increase taxes on warehouses to help fund support for high street businesses such as pubs.

The BBC said one of the biggest items in Burnham’s in-tray would be how to fund an increase in defence spending, noting Sir Keir announced plans for a £15bn increase without spelling out where the extra money was coming from.

The BBC added that it means whoever Burnham chooses to replace Reeves as chancellor will have to find at least £4.7bn in savings from other departments when they deliver their first Budget in the autumn.

On voting reform, Euronews said Burnham indicated he still backs reforming Britain’s first-past-the-post electoral system and told Reddit: "I will seek to persuade my own party of the need for a manifesto commitment to it in the next manifesto."

The Independent reported that Burnham said he would not call a general election if he becomes prime minister, but revealed he will seek to persuade Labour to put voting reform in its next manifesto.