STORY
Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election if he becomes Prime Minister later this month, saying Labour already has a mandate from the 2024 general election. The Prime Minister in waiting said he would focus on delivering change rather than immediately returning the country to the polls.
Burnham has also said he wants to establish a stronger presence for central Government outside London, including a proposed “Number 10 North” in Greater Manchester. He has presented the idea as part of a wider plan to shift power away from Whitehall and towards regions and local areas.
The comments are intended to reassure Labour MPs and markets that the leadership transition will not be followed by an immediate election campaign. Opposition parties are continuing to argue that a change of Prime Minister without a general election would deny voters a direct say.