Labour MPs are reportedly "nervous" about losing their seats if Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls a rumoured snap election, according to Conservative MP Esther McVey. Speaking on the Daily Express podcast, the MP for Tatton described a "jittery agitation" and "nervousness" in Westminster among Labour MPs concerned about whispers that Mr Burnham might call an election to shore up his authority.
MPs fear seat losses and Brexit 'backlash'
Ms McVey said: "There's been rumours there could be a snap election, they (Labour MPs) don't want that, many will lose their seats." She added that many Labour MPs in Brexit-voting seats do not understand why Mr Burnham has brought the Brexit debate back onto the table, having expected "ideas Andy" and energy from the new Prime Minister. "What they've ended up with is confusion and indecision," she said.
Ms McVey claimed that some senior Labour MPs told her this week they feel like they are "just treading water" and that it is not worth coming to the Commons because it is a "zombie Parliament". Another unnamed MP reportedly said they "don't want Brexit brought up" and that the Prime Minister was "picking at a scab" by putting it on the agenda again.
'Burnham Brexit backlash' warning
Ms McVey added that the unnamed Labour MP told her "it is a mistake, there will be a Burnham Brexit backlash". She claimed one MP, discussing his seat, said Mr Burnham's stance on Brexit was "bringing Reform back to life".
Mr Burnham has been accused of "unpicking" the original Brexit deal after announcing a key UK-EU summit next month will be used to push for new trade deals with the bloc. The summit will take place in Brussels on November 20, where the two sides will seek to sign a new food and drink agreement, a youth mobility scheme and a pact on emissions trading.
Conservative leader criticises negotiations
On Monday, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of revealing his hand before negotiations begin. She told the Commons: "What has the Prime Minister chosen to focus on today? Brexit. Here he is unpicking the deal this country signed with the EU a decade after the referendum.
"He is not going to get a better deal. The EU are tough negotiators, and it's not just that the EU are tough negotiators, he has already revealed his entire negotiating hand. He has just blurted out everything he wants in this statement and I will tell him now, as a former trade secretary, this is not how you conduct negotiations."
