Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to hold a general election before next summer, stating it is crucial for him to secure his own mandate and prove his administration represents a departure from the Starmer years.
Johnson, who served as a Cabinet minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, suggested in a Times Radio interview that Burnham cannot serve out the entire parliamentary term, which could extend to 2029. "He's got to think about going to the country before that and getting his own mandate," Johnson said. He acknowledged that immediate elections are not favored by all Labour MPs but emphasized the importance of restoring trust in politics, drawing a parallel to Gordon Brown's decision not to call an early election after taking office in 2007.
The comments come amid pressure from the Conservative Party. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has written to the Cabinet Secretary requesting formal pre-election talks with civil servants. Badenoch reportedly believes Burnham will call an election sooner rather than later, suggesting that Labour's current manifesto limits his ability to implement desired tax increases.
These preparatory discussions, known as access talks, typically occur 12 to 16 months before a parliament's end and are designed to help the civil service and opposition parties prepare for a potential change in government.
Despite these calls, Prime Minister Burnham has stated that an early election is not what the public currently desires. Speaking in Ukraine, Burnham told ITV News that his focus is on the country's needs rather than party interests. Meanwhile, Reform UK has announced plans to prepare its party for a snap election during its upcoming conference.