Burnham rules out early general election as Westminster speculation continues

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has repeatedly ruled out calling an early general election, BBC News reported. On Wednesday he said there would not be an election in the next 12 months.

Speaking earlier in the month, Mr Burnham said there would be no British election "any time soon". He said his focus was on governing. He made his latest denial in the wake of the Budget, the government's annual statement of tax and spending plans, which was delivered by Chancellor John Healey, the minister in charge of the Treasury.

Speculation has continued at Westminster, despite the denials. Opposition parties had suggested an early election would be called before Mr Burnham issued his most recent statement. When asked when voters might see a manifesto setting out plans to rejoin the European Union, Mr Burnham said an election was not on his mind. He also said he was not thinking about Labour's "prospects" when ruling out a poll in the next 12 months.

Several parties and figures have set out their own views on timing. The Liberal Democrats have claimed there is a 30% chance of a general election on 10 December, and have put the party on a "snap election footing", meaning ready to campaign at short notice. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he thinks there could be a general election in May. Some Labour MPs have told their staff to prepare for an early election in the first half of next year.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned why some voter-friendly measures announced by Mr Healey would only be in place until the summer.

Mr Burnham had also said, in June, that he would not call an early national election if he replaced Keir Starmer as prime minister. A UK general election must be held by August 2029.