Andy Burnham has appeared to rule out calling an early general election after being appointed Prime Minister. Mr Burnham was handed the keys to Downing Street on Monday (July 20), replacing Sir Keir Starmer.
Pressure for a Mandate
But the new Prime Minister’s mid-term ascent to power has prompted calls for a general election from some, who argue he is lacking a mandate. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said on X: “Andy Burnham cannot be allowed to make the ‘biggest changes in politics for 40 years’ without a mandate. We need a general election now.”
Burnham's Response
However, Mr Burnham noted he had a constitutional mandate to govern as he would stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto. Asked when he would go to the country, the Labour leader told reporters: “We’re in a parliamentary democracy and, as we’ve seen through time, if somebody can command the majority of the MPs in the House of Commons, obviously they then have the legitimacy to lead things forward.
“And I will lead forward consistent with the manifesto, which also talked about change and I now want to work on the platform that Keir Starmer has left to deliver that change – a massive change in our politics.”
Public Opinion
But do you think an early general election should be called? Have your say in our poll below.
