Nearly half of British voters want an early general election when Andy Burnham becomes prime minister, a YouGov poll has found, as the Makerfield MP hurtles towards an unopposed coronation as Labour leader. The poll, which also revealed that 46% believe he should face a leadership contest rather than being appointed automatically, underscores unease within the party and beyond as Burnham prepares to enter No 10 as soon as 17 July.
Burnham is the only declared candidate for the Labour leadership after former health secretary Wes Streeting and cabinet minister Darren Jones ruled themselves out. He became the overwhelming favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer after winning a landslide byelection in Makerfield, which triggered Starmer's resignation. Despite the rapid ascent, only 15% of voters think Burnham will be a good prime minister, YouGov found, with the same proportion believing he will be terrible.
“48% want early election as Burnham set to become PM unopposed; only 15% think he will be good”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has thrown her support behind Burnham, telling the BBC: "I'm supporting Andy to be prime minister." She acknowledged it was up to him whether she stayed on as chancellor, but reiterated her backing. The move came despite reports that Burnham could demote her to a junior cabinet role. Reeves said: "I'm not going to pre-empt the decisions that the new prime minister will make. I'm backing Andy. I think he'd be a great prime minister, but those are his decisions, not mine to make."
Burnham, who was sworn in as the member for Makerfield this week, is already signalling radical change. He plans to move parts of the No 10 operation to Manchester as part of measures to devolve power away from London, according to a speech he will give next week. The move, first reported by the Financial Times, is intended to deliver the devolution he has promised. A spokesperson for Burnham declined to comment.
Labour MPs are under pressure from local members who want a leadership contest rather than a coronation, Sky News reported. The disquiet echoes a wider public scepticism: 43% of people told YouGov they will feel no difference with Burnham in charge, while 24% said they are more pessimistic. Only 21% said they are more optimistic.
In the Commons, the transition was marked by acrimony. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch took a swipe at the man she may face at PMQs, describing him as "a pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt" during a raucous session of Prime Minister's Questions. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer will stay on as an MP after leaving No 10, his spokesman confirmed, avoiding a potentially tricky byelection in his Holborn and St Pancras seat.
Burnham's path to power appears all but assured, but the polls suggest he will inherit a nation deeply uncertain about what kind of prime minister he will be.