Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces renewed speculation about an early general election after a Conservative MP claimed Labour has recruited dozens of election campaign agents. The claim follows his first Budget, which critics have described as a "retail Budget" aimed at winning over voters.
Tory MP reveals 'top secret' Labour plans
Conservative MP Esther McVey said she was told by a Labour MP that the party is preparing for an election by hiring campaign staff. Speaking on the Daily Expresso podcast, McVey said: "I was chatting to lots of [Labour MPs], all of them wanting to get whatever was on their chest off their chest. Some of them said it had all the feelings of an early election."
She added: "One of them, and I will not name them, told me, top secret, that Labour has got 79 election campaign agents. Well, you don't recruit 79 campaign agents if you're not thinking of going to an election."
Burnham denies snap election plans
Burnham has repeatedly ruled out holding a snap election, but speculation has mounted since he replaced Sir Keir Starmer in Number 10. Commentators suggest he may be motivated by the prospect of a fresh mandate for leadership, rather than adhering to promises made by Sir Keir in 2024.
Speaking after the fiscal statement, 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."
Budget fuels election speculation
Burnham insisted he was "leading from the front" and "putting Britain on a different path". He said: "We've got a 10-year plan to come, and that will inform the spending review next year. These are my priorities, not looking at our own internal party political advantage."
However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused Burnham of creating "a retail Budget aimed at an early general election". Farage added: "It doesn't overall do very much, but it attempts to please a very large group of people."
A Conservative Party spokesman also appeared to suggest an election could be imminent. Referring to measures unveiled in the Budget, they said: "When you look at the fact that the fuel duty has been extended to July, that the VAT cut on bills has been extended to July, one might ask what's happening in June."
