Andy Burnham has broken his silence on whether he will call for a snap general election following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister. Starmer confirmed he would step down from No 10 on Monday, June 22, but will remain in place until a new Labour Party leader is chosen, with a new Prime Minister expected by September. Burnham is widely tipped as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer.
Burnham's Response to Election Calls
When asked if he would demand a snap general election, Burnham deflected, stating: “I think you’re jumping several hurdles there. My priority today is be sworn in as the mayor... as the MP for Makerfield. And it’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester.” He added: “The people have been brilliant to me over the past few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place. But thanks very much indeed.”
Context of Previous Election Call
Burnham previously called for a general election when Rishi Sunak succeeded Liz Truss as prime minister without a vote, setting a precedent that has led to speculation he might do so again. However, his recent comments suggest he is not immediately pressing for an election, focusing instead on his transition to Parliament.
Nigel Farage Demands Election
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has demanded the Government announce a general election following Starmer's resignation. In a Substack blog post, Farage said: “Starmer isn’t the first Prime Minister I’ve deposed, and he won’t be the last. David Cameron. Theresa May. Rishi Sunak. And next up – Andy Burnham. The reason each leader has failed is the same.” He added: “What the political class fails to understand is that the electorate won’t accept being taken for fools. They cannot continue to take the votes of the people who supported them for granted, only to betray them upon having gained power. Politics is about trust. That is why I am calling for a general election at the soonest possible date. You know as well as I do that the country cannot afford to waste another week drifting from crisis to crisis.” Farage cited Reform UK's success in local elections and over 300 opinion poll leads as evidence of public support.
Impact and Next Steps
The resignation of Starmer has triggered a leadership contest within the Labour Party, with Burnham seen as the leading candidate. The timeline for a new Prime Minister by September means the country will have a caretaker government for several months. Burnham's avoidance of a snap election call may signal a desire for stability, while Farage's demand highlights growing pressure from the right. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for the next general election, which is not due until 2029 unless called early.
