Badenoch Warns Tories to Prepare for Snap Election Amid Burnham's Cabinet Meeting

Conservative Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has cautioned her party to remain 'ready' for a snap general election, as opposition leader Andy Burnham convenes his cabinet for an 'away day' at the Prime Minister's official country residence, Chequers. Burnham has summoned ministers for intensive discussions on his 10-year plan, which is slated for a major speech later this year.

Burnham has consistently denied intentions to call an early election, despite recent polling showing a rise in Labour's support. However, Conservatives have pointed to his recent conference speech, where he outlined a series of policies contingent on a new parliamentary term, as potential indicators of an impending ballot.

"We're not doing that again. I want you all to know that I am getting ready for a general election," Badenoch stated at a reception in Birmingham. An ally of Badenoch indicated that some within the party had considered a 50-50 chance of Burnham calling an election during his conference address. However, other senior Conservatives remain skeptical, with one frontbencher dismissing the possibility of an imminent ballot.

Calling an election before the legal deadline in 2029 would represent a significant gamble for Burnham. Recent polling from Opinium shows Labour support at 30 percent, its highest level since 2024, with Reform UK trailing at 25 percent and the Conservatives at 17 percent. Electoral Calculus projections based on this split suggest Labour could secure 342 seats, Reform UK 155, and the Conservatives only 55, although constituency-level outcomes would be highly unpredictable due to electoral volatility.

While these figures are unfavorable for the Conservatives, other polling firms have indicated more positive numbers for the party. The same Opinium survey found Burnham's personal approval rating up one point to a net positive of eight, while Badenoch's rating stood at minus one, and Nigel Farage's at minus 22.