Andy Burnham, the man expected to become prime minister on 20 July, has used a Reddit Ask Me Anything session to rule out an early general election and pledge to maintain the controversial pensions triple lock – while also facing a challenge from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Taking part in the online Q&A on Friday, one user asked bluntly: “I assume you’re going to call an election? If not why not?” Burnham replied: “No. As I said in my speech on Monday, I’m going to work to the 2024 manifesto.”
“Andy Burnham, set to become PM on 20 July, rules out early election and pledges to keep pension triple lock.”
The last general election was held on 4 July 2024, giving Labour a landslide majority. Under the law, the next election must be called by August 2029, but a prime minister can go earlier. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and some opposition figures had demanded a snap vote after Sir Keir Starmer resigned last month.
On the pension triple lock – which guarantees the state pension rises by the highest of inflation, average earnings or 2.5% – Burnham said: “I appreciate there’s a lot of debate about this but it is important that the commitment in the manifesto stands.” Some of his own economic advisers have urged him to ditch the policy, which critics say protects wealthy pensioners at the expense of the young.
But Burnham also revealed he would campaign for one change in Labour’s next manifesto: proportional representation. “I am a strong supporter of electoral reform, partly because I believe it will enable the change to a more collaborative politics,” he wrote.
The Reddit session drew thousands of questions, including one from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused Burnham of answering “softball questions” and urged him to “face a proper press conference”. Burnham replied: “Fair challenge Kemi – but don’t forget it’s only two weeks since I faced questions from 74,000 members of the public of Makerfield.”
Burnham has given only one media interview since announcing his leadership bid – an LBC appearance where he said there was “some room” for movement on tax, proposing to cut business rates for pubs and high‑street firms while raising levies on giant warehouses owned by online retailers. He insisted he would stick to Labour’s pledges not to raise VAT, income tax or national insurance.
On defence, the PM‑in‑waiting promised the recently published £15bn defence investment plan would be “fully funded”. The blueprint led to John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary. Burnham also backed Ukraine “100 per cent” and said he saw scope for a better trade deal with the EU.
With no other candidate standing, Burnham is expected to be confirmed as Labour leader on 17 July and enter No 10 three days later. But the economic headwinds are mounting: the Iran war has driven up inflation, bond markets are jittery, and Starmer’s defence plan leaves a shortfall of £4.7bn that Burnham’s new chancellor will have to find in the autumn budget.