Burnham rules out early election and refuses to commit to date on boosting defence spending to 3% of GDP – even though his Chancellor quit over Starmer’s dithering

Andy Burnham has ruled out a snap general election, insisting Labor will stick to its manifesto.

The new Prime Minister said in his first interview from Number 10 North that he had the support of his Parliamentary colleagues.

But when asked whether he would give the 48 million UK voters a say, he said the public did not want to go to the polls.

In his first major media interview since becoming Prime Minister, he told Laura Kuenssberg: ‘There is no general election and what I will tell you is that more than 20 people – the millions of people you just mentioned – voted for a manifesto.

‘We are in a parliamentary democracy, so people voted for this and I will respect that manifesto.

‘And of course I made a public appearance at Makerfield. When I came forward in the by-election people were saying: ‘Oh my God, this constituency voted for Reform in May, it’s a risk’.

‘I went and appeared before the people; I went in front of those doors. That’s what I did. ‘I have the support of my colleagues in parliament and this is a parliamentary democracy we are in.’

Asked if he would rule it out, he said: ‘Yes, I will rule it out. There is no early general election. I don’t think people want that.

The Prime Minister has yet to outline a plan for when the UK will spend three per cent of GDP on defence. Burnham is seen here looking at the BPI gold disc of The Smiths’ ‘The Queen Is Dead’ on the wall of her office at No 10 North.

‘Well, opinion polls say some people do it and some people don’t. But the point is, I think the most important thing I need to do is to ensure that Britain focuses on getting the country back to where it needs to be, on getting it working.’

Mr Burnham faces calls for a general election from Reform UK after taking power from Sir Keir Starmer in a bloodless coup.

The new Prime Minister has enjoyed a surge in the polls and opposition parties predict he will run for a new post this autumn or next year.

However, sources close to him ruled out the possibility of holding a general election in 2027. One needs to be built by 2029.

A new term would give him the power to present a more ambitious policy platform and give him five years instead of three.

But it’s a big risk as Reform still tops the polls and is level with Labour, although it has been on the rise since Mr Burnham took office.

He insisted the party would stick to its manifesto and fiscal rules but made several commitments that do not appear to be fully funded at present.

This means Sir Keir’s government cannot increase income tax, national insurance or VAT as set out.

The new Prime Minister has announced he will end rough sleeping with a commitment of £340 million over five years, which he says will come from ‘uncommitted’ budgets at the housing department.

He also said he would reduce VAT on electricity bills using money from a digital ID scheme he said he would scrap; However, former ministers stated that this was not funded.

He also used a complex method of borrowing to cut the cap on bus fares in England from £3 to £2 at a cost of £500 million.

Funding for the business rates cut for pubs, which will cost the Treasury £100 million a year, has not yet been announced.

Claims that the new Number 10 North base would not cost taxpayers additional money have been questioned.

A poll by Public First this month found 51 per cent of people believe Mr Burnham ‘should go to the election and try to win it to give legitimacy to his government’, while 34 per cent believe he does not need to.