UK PM Andy Burnham rules out early general polls, says ‘no election anytime soon’

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election, saying his focus is on tackling the cost of living and supporting businesses rather than putting the country through another election campaign.Speaking to BBC regional political editors ahead of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Burnham was asked whether he was considering an early poll.“No, not particularly. No, I’m not,” he said.“I see all the speculation and it just races ahead,” Burnham added. “No election anytime soon. I’m focused on the job as prime minister, doing what I said I would do.”Burnham was also asked whether a general election would be held next May alongside council elections in the East Midlands.“No,” he replied. “Not having a general election.”The comments come amid speculation that the government could call an early election, with reports that some advisers had been considering a poll as early as next year.Recent polling has suggested Labour's position has improved since Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister in July, although Reform UK and the Conservatives remain close behind.Polling in recent weeks has shown a change in Labour's position since Burnham became prime minister in July, although Reform UK and the Conservatives have also remained competitive.The possibility of an early poll has also raised questions over whether Burnham could seek a fresh mandate and pursue priorities beyond those set out in Labour's 2024 manifesto. Under the current timetable, the next general election must be held by August 2029.Burnham is due to attend his first Labour Party conference as prime minister this weekend, where the prospect of a snap election is expected to be discussed by some party members.The prime minister said his priority was setting out the direction he wants to take the country rather than entering another election cycle.“The focus is on that, helping people with the cost of living, helping businesses with the cost of running a business,” he said.“These have got to be the priorities right now, rather than throwing the country into a backward-looking process where we're arguing again amongst ourselves.”Burnham said he wanted people to be “feeling a bit of hope in their lives again” and added that he wanted to take that work forward “rather than putting people back into an election cycle”.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.