Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election, saying he wants to "draw a line" under speculation and focus on his priorities. The announcement comes as he prepares for his first Labour party conference as leader of the country.
Speaking to BBC West's political editor Paul Barltrop as he headed to Liverpool for the party conference, Mr Burnham was asked whether he was tempted to call an election. He replied: "Not particularly. No, I'm not."
Election speculation dismissed
Several media reports in recent days have suggested close advisers to the Prime Minister are weighing up the prospect of an election as early as next year. It follows polling which said Labour would remain the largest party - though short of a parliamentary majority - if a snap election were called.
Mr Burnham said: "And I see all the speculation and it just races ahead. And, you know, the media love to do that. No, no election any time soon. I'm focused on the job as Prime Minister doing what I said I would do."
Focus on priorities
He said he is instead focusing on helping the public to feel "a bit of hope in their lives" rather than a divisive electoral cycle. He added: "I will lay out a big speech in Liverpool next week, which will say further about the direction I want to take the country in the coming period."
"The focus is on that: helping people with the cost of living, helping businesses with the costs of running a business. These have got to be the priorities right now rather than throwing the country into a backward-looking process where we are arguing again amongst ourselves."
He concluded: "The time has come, draw a line, get the country looking forward, pulling together, 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."
