Andy Burnham moves to rule out snap election: ‘I can knock that dead’

Andy Burnham has moved to shut down speculation of an early general election, telling broadcasters during a round of pre-conference regional interviews that he has no intention of calling a snap poll. 

“All of this speculation on an early election, I can knock that dead”, Burnham told ITV Calendar. He said voters wanted him “getting on with the job of delivering” rather than “putting self-serving politics” first.

Burnham was asked if an election would be held in 2029. By law, the latest possible date for the next general election is 15 August 2029.

He responded: “Well, yes, that’s when the next election will be. All of this speculation on an early election, I can knock that dead. 

“You know people want me new in office to be getting on with the job of delivering on the things that we’ve discussed in this interview rather than putting self-serving politics before that, which was what I would be doing if I call an election, I’m not going to do that.”

In an interview with BBC East Midlands, Burnham was asked whether May’s local elections would be combined with a general election. 

The prime minister responded: “No.” 

Speaking to BBC West, Burnham said he was “focused on the job as prime minister” and did not want to plunge the country into “a backward-looking process where we’re arguing again amongst ourselves.” He said he would use his Labour conference speech in Liverpool next week to set out further direction on the cost of living and support for business.

He added: “The time has come to draw a line, get the country looking forward, pulling together, with people feeling a bit of hope in their lives again, that’s what I’m trying to do and I hope to take it further in the coming period rather than putting people back into an election cycle.”

Burnham was questioned on a range of other interviews during his media marathon, including regional infrastructure and devolution deals. 

Speaking to ITV Granada, Burnham was asked whether Manchester City should be stripped of its titles in light of reports indicating the football club has been found guilty on 114 of their 115 charges relating to breaches of financial regulations.

The prime minister said he would need to study the findings “in some considerable detail.”

He stated: “I’ve only just been made aware of it – I think these are reports at this stage. But if they’re confirmed, obviously I will want to look at the report of the independent commission…

“I know this has been a long process between the club and the Premier League. I think quite a contested process. So I don’t think it’s as simple as jumping to conclusions. I think we would all need to study the independent commission’s report in some considerable detail before reaching any conclusions.”

Asked by whether Greater Manchester Police should receive extra funding to cope with hosting Number 10 North, Burnham acknowledged there was “a case for GMP’s funding to be looked at.”

He added: “Manchester is such a focal point now, for large parts of the country in terms of the events that are happening here, the protests that happen, there is a capital cities grant, for other parts of the country recognising they get extra pressure. 

“I certainly made the case when I was the mayor of Greater Manchester, that there’s extra pressure felt by GMP, and therefore there is a case to compensate them for that.”

In an interview with BBC London, Burnham was pressed on Labour’s position in the capital. “We never take anyone’s support for granted, and I certainly don’t do that as prime minister”, he said. 

Asked whether he wanted Sadiq Khan to stand again as Labour’s mayoral candidate, Burnham gave an unqualified endorsement. “I’d always support him. I think he’s done a great job as the mayor of London”, he said. 

The prime minister added: “Sadiq has done bold things in relation to air quality, improving the health of Londoners. 

“The quality of transport in London continues to improve. I’m somebody who works very closely with him and he has done more, I think, to address that. Housing crisis than any of his predecessors and that’s why he’s got my full support and backing in whatever he decides to do.”

Questioned on the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election, Burnham suggested the contest was significant.

He said: “It is an important by-election, make no mistake about it, and we’re not complacent in any way shape or form – we’ve got to justify people’s support and I think some of the things I have done show that I am listening to people and their concerns. 

“Where Labour perhaps hasn’t heard the voice of London communities and some of concerns that people have we [must] show that we’re prepared to make changes, certainly. 

“I heard the voice from many Londoners about the situation in relation to Israel-Palestine and the need for the government to have a position that reflects public concern. Working with [foreign secretary] Ed Miliband, we made a change and we announced that a couple of weeks ago.”

The prime minister added: “We’ll never, in any way shape or form, accept any form of antisemitism whatsoever. We condemn the attacks of the 7th of October in unequivocal terms but at the same time it is also right to say that that does not justify what we’ve seen in Gaza or indeed in the West Bank and where I need to do that as prime minister working with the foreign secretary, we will do that.”