
Andy Burnham told the BBC he is not tempted to call an early general election and there will not be one 'anytime soon', stating his focus is on helping people with the cost of living and supporting businesses rather than pursuing a snap poll.
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Andy Burnham became Prime Minister after replacing Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street in July 2024. The next general election must be held by August 2029, but speculation has arisen about an early vote.
Andy Burnham has told the BBC he is not tempted to call an early general election and there will not be one "anytime soon".
The prime minister said his focus was on helping people with the cost of living and supporting businesses, rather than "throwing the country into a backward-looking process".
Recent polling has suggested Labour's position has improved since Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street in July, although Reform UK and the Conservatives are not far behind.
An early general election could give Burnham a mandate of his own and free him from commitments made in Labour's 2024 manifesto. The next general election must be held by August 2029.
Burnham heads to his first Labour Party conference as prime minister this weekend, with speculation over the prospect of a snap election likely to be a topic of conversation among some of those attending the event in Liverpool.
Labour has been projected to lose its majority but remain the largest party in the House of Commons if there was a snap election, according to recent polling.
It comes amid media reports that some of the PM's advisers have been weighing up the prospect of an election as early as next year.
But Burnham sought to rule out this prospect during interviews with BBC regional political editors ahead of the conference opening on Sunday.
Asked by BBC West political editor Paul Barltrop whether he was tempted to call an early poll, Burnham replied: "No, not particularly. No, I'm not."
"I see all the speculation and it just races ahead," he said.
He added: "No election anytime soon. I'm focused on the job as prime minister, doing what I said I would do."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
No general election will be held in the near future
Likely · Within months

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