Minister insists public ‘do not want a general election’ – despite almost half of people calling for one
A government minister has insisted people “don’t want a general election” if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister – despite polling showing nearly half would do so.
Labor has come under pressure to call a snap election as the party prepares to appoint a new name to Downing Street following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
His likely successor, Mr Burnham, has indicated that he will not call a national election so far because some MPs fear they could lose their seats to Reform UK or the Greens in an early election.
Housing minister Steve Reed said on Sunday that “the people do not want a general election” as he called for the transition at Number 10 to be “orderly”.
He added: “The people don’t want a general election and that’s not just my instinct. When you look at the polls they say the vast majority don’t want it. They want us to get on with the job.”
But a recent YouGov poll found that almost half of Britons believe a general election should be held once Sir Keir’s replacement is confirmed.
The poll revealed that 48 percent of voters believe a new election should be held after Burnham takes office, while 35 percent do not.
Another IPSOS poll showed only a minority favored giving Mr Burnham the keys to No 10 without contest.
The poll of 1,131 British voters in the days before Sir Keir confirmed his resignation shows that only 13 per cent were in favor of a coronation, while 39 per cent of people preferred a Labor leadership contest.
The question of whether Mr Burnham has the authority to govern based on the mandate he received from the Makerfield by-election and his party could pose a major problem for the former mayor.
Home Secretary Mike Tapp, who opposes replacing Sir Keir, made a public appeal, while one of Mr Burnham’s main supporters warned privately: “If he doesn’t go to the country we will fall prey to the empty 2024 manifesto.”
Mr Reed said Mr Burnham was “committed” to Labour’s manifesto but would “want to change some things”, including devolution.
He said there would be “changes of emphasis” but suggested the “fundamentals” would remain, including fiscal rules.
Asked whether Mr Burnham would lift the triple lock, the Housing Secretary told Sky News: “There are conversations going on in Parliament all the time but we were elected on a manifesto and Andy is committed to that manifesto.
“He’s going to want to change things now and one of the areas he’s talking about, which I think is very exciting, is devolution, which is more power being handed over directly to communities.”
He also insisted Labor’s replacement of prime ministers was “very, very different” to what happened under the Conservatives, citing Boris Johnson’s lockdown parties.
There is growing speculation that the Makerfield MP may call a general election to capitalize on the surge in support for Labor following his return to frontline politics.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called an almost immediate general election following Sir Keir’s resignation on Monday, while shadow housing minister Sir James Cleverly said the Conservative Party was ready to fight a general election.
But some MPs, some with razor-thin majorities, are imploring him not to take the risk as elections are not due to be held until 2029.
Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, at the far left of the party, warned, “If he does this, we will be beaten,” while Rachael Maskell said “there is no need for a general election.”
