Andy Burnham rules out early election and defends triple lock in Reddit AMA

Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election if he becomes prime minister later this month, telling Reddit users he will 'work to the 2024 manifesto'. The newly elected MP for Makerfield, the sole candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader, could enter No 10 on 20 July. Thousands of questions poured in during his Ask Me Anything session on Thursday, with one user asking directly whether he would call an election. 'No. As I said in my speech on Monday, I'm going to work to the 2024 manifesto,' Burnham replied. The last general election, on 4 July 2024, gave Labour a landslide majority, meaning the next contest must be called by August 2029, though a prime minister can choose an earlier date. The declaration immediately drew fire from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused Burnham of answering 'softball questions' during the online event. 'You're going to be prime minister soon so it's time to start acting like one. Come out from hiding, face a proper press conference and submit yourself to scrutiny and some tough questions,' she wrote. Burnham shot back: '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.' He has given only one media interview since announcing his leadership bid. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also piled in, calling for an election 'as soon as possible' after Starmer's resignation last month. Badenoch has separately urged Burnham to fund a shortfall in the recently published defence investment plan – or call an election. Beyond the political jousting, Burnham confirmed several policy positions. He said he would seek to negotiate a returns agreement for failed refugees, including with Taliban-run Afghanistan. On the pension triple lock, a policy introduced by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition, he declared: 'I appreciate there's a lot of debate about this but it is important that the commitment in the manifesto stands.' He also promised to work for a closer relationship with the EU, having told the BBC last September he would like to see the UK re-join the bloc within his lifetime – though during the Makerfield by-election campaign in May he promised not to 're-run' Brexit arguments. With his installation as PM just weeks away, Burnham faces mounting pressure from opposition leaders to submit to conventional scrutiny – but he is sticking to his pledge to govern on the terms of Labour's 2024 mandate.