Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling a snap general election in the next year, ending speculation that he might seek to consolidate his position. Speaking after the Budget, he said he was thinking "about people" and not "my own party and its prospects."
Prime Minister's statement
Asked if he would call an election in the next year during a visit to a community centre in central London, Burnham said: "I don't know how many times I've done this now, but yes, I can rule out calling a general election in the next 12 months."
He added: "I have said repeatedly since coming into this job, I'm not thinking about myself. I'm not thinking about my own party and its prospects. I am thinking about people, and I'm thinking about what I can do to help them to have that care for people, which I spoke about on my first day in Downing Street."
Priorities and plans
The Prime Minister said he was "leading from the front" and "putting Britain on a different path." He outlined that a 10-year plan is forthcoming, which will inform the spending review next year. "These are my priorities, not looking at our own internal party political advantage," he stated.
Burnham's comments come after Chancellor John Healey delivered his first Budget, which has been a subject of intense political debate.
