Overwhelming Majority of Express Readers Want Early Election
Andy Burnham, the most likely successor to Sir Keir Starmer, should call a General Election if he becomes Prime Minister, according to an overwhelming majority of Express readers who voted in a recent poll. The poll received 8,902 votes, with 8,528 (96%) supporting the idea, while only 331 disagreed. A small minority of 43 respondents said they did not know.
Nigel Farage Leads Calls for Snap Election
The call comes after Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, demanded a snap general election following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation. Farage warned Labour against installing a new leader without a public mandate. He said: "Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change. If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No. 10, it has another thing coming." The Conservatives have also joined the calls for an early election.
Polling Data Shows Reform UK in Lead
According to YouGov data from June 15, if a General Election were held tomorrow, 24% of Britons would vote for Reform UK, while 19% would vote for the Conservatives and an equal 19% for Labour. The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats would secure 15% and 13% of the vote, respectively.
Burnham's Team Rules Out Early Election
However, Mr Burnham's team has ruled out an early election if he becomes Britain's next prime minister. This stance contradicts the wishes of the majority of Express readers and the demands of opposition parties.
Starmer's Resignation Triggers Leadership Contest
Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation in an emotional statement outside 10 Downing Street, saying his party had asked "whether I am best placed to lead us into the next General Election." He added: "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace." His decision triggers a Labour leadership contest, with a successor expected to be in place by September.
No Legal Requirement for Election on PM Change
There is no requirement for a General Election if the prime minister changes. If a PM resigns while their administration has an overall majority, the practice is for the party in government to identify a successor. Labour's ruling body has yet to formally confirm the timetable for this process.
Leadership Contest Rules and Timeline
Sir Keir has said he would like nominations to open on July 9, a day after the NATO summit, which he looks likely to attend. Any Labour MP who wants to be on the final ballot must secure the backing of at least 20% of Labour MPs, currently 81 (including themselves). The final winner must receive more than half of the votes cast. If no candidate achieves that total as a first preference, votes are redistributed according to preferences until one candidate secures at least half the votes. Sir Keir said a new leader will be in place by September 1, when Parliament returns from recess.
