Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have demanded a general election following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation, putting pressure on incoming Labour leader Andy Burnham to address national security concerns.
Badenoch Challenges Burnham on Defence Funding
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch stated that if Andy Burnham cannot fund the defence investment plan needed to protect Britain, a national vote should take place. “If Andy Burnham is not able to fund the defence investment plan, then we should have a general election,” she said.
Badenoch linked Starmer's resignation to national security failures, citing the hiring of Peter Mandelson as a national security risk and the reliance on foreign oil instead of drilling in the North Sea. “Not funding a defence investment plan is a national security issue. If Andy Burnham doesn’t have any answers on national security, then we should have a general election now,” she added.
Farage Demands Election to 'Fix Broken Britain'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage echoed the call, stating, “Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.” He warned that if Labour thinks it can install another professional politician as prime minister without a vote, “it has another thing coming.”
Farage said a general election is needed “to fix broken Britain.”
Burnham's Response to Election Calls
Andy Burnham, who was sworn in as MP for Makerfield on Monday afternoon, dismissed immediate calls for a snap election, saying it would be “jumping several hurdles ahead.” When asked about his previous demand for an election when Rishi Sunak became prime minister, Burnham declined to commit, focusing instead on his swearing-in and his departure from Greater Manchester.
Burnham is expected to replace Starmer within weeks, potentially becoming prime minister in mid-July if he is the only candidate for the Labour leadership. His chances were boosted by Wes Streeting's backing. Streeting, who quit the Cabinet in protest at Starmer's leadership, said Burnham could “win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.”
Starmer's Resignation and Transition
Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Labour leader and prime minister on Monday, acknowledging he had lost the support of his MPs. He promised an “orderly handover of power” to his successor. Starmer's decision followed a weekend at Chequers with his family, mulling his future.
Badenoch and Farage's demands set the stage for a potential constitutional clash if Burnham becomes prime minister without a general election, a scenario both opposition leaders argue would lack democratic legitimacy.
