Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election, telling the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg: "I'm going to rule it out... I don't think people want it."
Speaking in his first major interview since becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham dismissed intense speculation that he could call a national vote in the autumn. The former Mayor of Manchester said the majority of the electorate "voted for a manifesto" in the last election and vowed he would "honour that manifesto" with the support of parliamentary colleagues.
Focus on the country
Mr Burnham added: "I just think what I most need to do is get Britain focused on getting the country back where it should be, getting it working."
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has indicated she would back a general election if Mr Burnham breaks Labour's 2024 general election manifesto pledge. Meanwhile, Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage, who is not currently an MP, has backed an immediate general election, saying there "must be an immediate general election so the country can decide the future".
No10 North in Manchester
The interview took place at No10 North in Manchester, where Mr Burnham plans to work from one day a week in a bid to push power out of Westminster. Small crowds gathered on Friday outside No10 North at Heron House in the centre of Manchester to see Mr Burnham. He hosted an economic meeting with Cabinet ministers there, who are also expected to work from the hub sometimes.
