Burnham ruled out calling for an early election as PM

Andy Burnham has announced he will not call an early general election if he becomes Prime Minister later this month.

During an Online Ask Me (AMA) session on Reddit, a user asked about polling.

Burnham replied: “No. As I said in my speech on Monday, I will work towards a 2024 manifesto.”

The newly elected MP for Makersfield is the only candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labor Party and could become Prime Minister on July 20.

The last election was held in 4 July 2024 is when Labor wins a majority, meaning the next election must be called by August 2029, although a Prime Minister can choose to call any time before that.

Thousands of Reddit users have been writing in questions for Burnham since he announced that he will hold an AMA session on Thursday.

One such user was Conservative leader Kimi Badenoch, who answered the former Greater Manchester mayor’s “softball questions”.

“You’re going to be prime minister soon so it’s time to start acting like one. Come out of hiding, wait for a proper press conference and submit yourself to scrutiny and some tough questions.”

“Are you ready for it?”

Burnham replied: “Fair challenge, chem – but don’t forget it’s only been two weeks since I’ve had questions from 74,000 members of the Makersfield public.”

Burnham has given just one media interview since announcing his intention to run for Labor leader.

The ADB has in recent days called on Burnham to address the shortfall in his recently published defense investment plan – or call an election – if he enters No 10.

Meanwhile. UK reform leader Nigel Farage called for an election “as soon as possible” following Sir Keir’s resignation last month.

Burnham fielded questions from Reddit users on a variety of topics and verified some of the guideposts.

He said he wanted to negotiate a repatriation deal for refugees, including from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

He said he would not scrap the triple lock, which under the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government guarantees the state pension rises each year against inflation, pay rises or 2.5% – whichever is higher.

“I appreciate there is a lot of debate about this but it’s important that the commitment in the manifesto stands,” he told one user.