Andy Burnham: ‘No snap election’

Labour’s Makerfield by-election candidate — and would-be next PM — Andy Burnham has ruled out calling a ‘snap’ general election if he gets into Downing Street.

Andy Burnham briefs the S*n

Burnham needs to win in Makerfield to stand to oust Keir Starmer.

In an apparent attempt to sabotage his chance of receiving the MP nominations he would need in order to trigger a leadership contest, rumours have circulated that Burnham would trigger the election. These were fed to the hard-right S*n — a display of contempt for Makerfield, part of which lies in Merseyside.

They were then amplified by Blairites like Harriet Harman, who would likely back either Starmer or the equally awful Wes Streeting. Burnham’s spokespeople initially declined to rule it out — perhaps an attempt to woo Reform UK voters eager to see a neo-fascist government into ‘lending’ him votes. But now they have moved to scotch the rumours.

But with only just over a week until polling day, Burnham urgently needs to sort out his message — whatever it is — if he wants a chance of winning the seat.

With a prime minister who stands for nothing (apart from Israel), the UK is in trouble. At the moment, his u-turn-riddled campaign means it’s even less clear what Burnham stands for.

Concerns about the Israel lobby opening his path to stand will prevent many left-wingers lending him a vote.

Featured image via the Canary