Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will not call a UK general election if he becomes the country's next Prime Minister. Responding to a question on Reddit, the Makerfield MP stated he would work to the 2024 Labour manifesto, ruling out an early election.
Reddit AMA reveals policy stance
On Friday evening, Mr Burnham participated in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit, facing questions from users including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The session came after criticism for avoiding traditional media interviews following his major leadership speech.
When asked by a user, 'I assume you’re going to call an election? If not, why not?', Mr Burnham replied: 'No. As I said in my speech on Monday, I’m going to work to the 2024 manifesto.'
Pensions triple lock commitment
Mr Burnham also addressed the pensions triple lock, a policy that protects the rate at which the state pension rises. When asked if he would scrap it, he said: 'I appreciate there’s a lot of debate about this but it is important that the commitment in the manifesto stands.'
Electoral reform support
The MP reiterated his support for reforming the UK's electoral system. He has previously backed replacing first-past-the-post with a form of proportional representation. On Reddit, he said: 'I am a strong supporter of electoral reform, partly because I believe it will enable the change to a more collaborative politics, and one that is less about point-scoring and more about problem-solving. I will seek to persuade my own party of the need for a manifesto commitment to it in the next manifesto.'
Labour's party conference voted in 2022 to support moving towards proportional representation, but the 2024 manifesto focused on extending voting to 16 and 17-year-olds and House of Lords reform.
Kemi Badenoch challenges Burnham
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Mr Burnham's approach to the media, accusing him of 'running away from being asked questions'. She posted on Reddit: 'Hi Andy, Kemi here. Whilst you’re answering softball questions on Reddit, I’ve been in Yorkshire answering questions from the press. You’re going to be prime minister soon so it’s time to start acting like one. Come out from hiding, face a proper press conference and submit yourself to scrutiny and some tough questions. Are you up for it?'
Mr Burnham responded: 'Fair challenge, Kemi – but don’t forget it’s only two weeks since I faced questions from 74,000 members of the public in Makerfield!'
Foreign policy and tax hints
On foreign policy, Mr Burnham said he would '100 per cent' give the same level of support to Ukraine as Sir Keir Starmer and indicated he wanted to continue efforts to broker a closer relationship with the EU.
In his first interview since Sir Keir resigned, Mr Burnham told LBC there was room for movement on tax despite pledging to keep Labour's 2024 manifesto commitments not to increase workers' income tax, national insurance or VAT rates. He suggested there was room to increase taxes on warehouses to help high street businesses such as pubs.
