{"id":5527,"date":"2026-10-31T02:41:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T02:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/why-mps-keep-talking-about-an-early-election-despite-burnhams-denials\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T02:41:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T02:41:53","slug":"why-mps-keep-talking-about-an-early-election-despite-burnhams-denials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/why-mps-keep-talking-about-an-early-election-despite-burnhams-denials\/","title":{"rendered":"Why MPs keep talking about an early election despite Burnham&#8217;s denials"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Why MPs keep talking about an early election despite Burnham&#8217;s denials<\/p>\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Andy Burnham smiling and walking out of number 10 Downing street with a red book under his arm \" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/KuOc6S.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/2b0c\/live\/51145730-d491-11f1-b441-2b33b063138f.jpg 976w\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1012.5\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"multi-byline\"><span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Nick Eardley<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span>Political correspondent<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Henry Zeffman<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span>Chief political correspondent<\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\">&nbsp;<!-- -->and<!-- -->&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Matt Chorley<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span>Presenter, BBC 5 Live<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-10-31T00:00:15.018Z\">59 minutes ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>Wander through Parliament at the moment, and there is one issue many MPs want to discuss: is there going to be an early general election?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Prime Minister Andy Burnham has nearly three years to go before he has to call an election and he has repeatedly and categorically ruled out going to the country early.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But the discussion persists &#8211; and many think it is a real possibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">After Wednesday&#8217;s Budget, that talk has only increased.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As one former Labour minister puts it: &#8220;Why would you sprinkle round a few politically smart (albeit small) giveaways now but delay all the really tough and unpopular decisions on welfare and defence to an autumn spending review if you weren&#8217;t creating a window for a spring election?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Others have also suggested to the BBC that Chancellor John Healey&#8217;s plans felt like a pre-election programme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They argue the Budget contained voter-friendly measures on the cost of living, such as \u00a3100 help for many with energy bills and extending VAT cuts on electricity bills. Young voters are to be offered help on to the housing ladder, through the Your First Home scheme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has questioned why some-voter friendly measures announced by Healey will only be in place until the summer. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Could it be, she suggests, that the prime minister plans to go to the country before these measures run out? <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">(The counter-argument to this is that household energy pressures are less severe in the summer.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Some MPs also point out the prime minister is popular at the moment and Labour is leading in most polls. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Reform, who had led the polls for some time, have had a difficult few months. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Will things ever look better for Burnham, they ask.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-4xd9es-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg.webp 800w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Andy Burnham in a dark suit and open necked blue shirt, walks past a sign saying Polling Station\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4uEeou.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/0931\/live\/a147a340-d443-11f1-97f9-27ebf08d99fe.jpg 800w\" width=\"863\" height=\"486\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Then there are the difficult spending decisions faced by the chancellor. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">How to find the money to fund an increase in defence spending? How to bring down the welfare bill? How to cut departmental spending to make the books add up? <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;He is delaying all of the bad stuff until after a poll,&#8221; reckons one Conservative MP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Liberal Democrats have claimed there is a 30% chance of a general election on 10 December. The party has been put on a &#8220;snap election footing&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he thinks there could be a general election in May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is worth pointing out predictions of an early election are coming more from opposition MPs, some of whom might be keen to cause a bit of trouble.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">An election has to be held by August 2029, but some Labour MPs have said they are so convinced an early election is on the way that they have told their staff to prepare for one in the first half of next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-6ofa4h-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg.webp 800w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gordon Brown and Andy Burnham making up doubles pair at a table tennis table in a tent at a sports ground in 2009. They are both wearing suits.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7oikpP.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/677f\/live\/d933b5f0-d46b-11f1-9dda-1ba6fcc7d159.jpg 800w\" width=\"831\" height=\"468\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"links\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-94r6ik-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Healey unveils \u00a3100 for energy bills and bank tax in first Budget<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ulytiq-LinkIconContainer e3eyuya3\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M21.6 14.3 5.5 31h6.4l14.6-15L11.9 1H5.5l16.1 16.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">2 days ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Burnham rules out early general election in next 12 months<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ulytiq-LinkIconContainer e3eyuya3\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M21.6 14.3 5.5 31h6.4l14.6-15L11.9 1H5.5l16.1 16.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">2 days ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Analysis: Healey provides some breathing space but things still set to get worse for most<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ulytiq-LinkIconContainer e3eyuya3\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M21.6 14.3 5.5 31h6.4l14.6-15L11.9 1H5.5l16.1 16.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">2 days ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There are, though, plenty of arguments against a general election in the next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Firstly, the prime minister has repeatedly ruled it out in interviews.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On Wednesday, he said explicitly that there would not be an election in the next 12 months. Politicians can change their minds, but one veteran Tory concludes a change of heart, after emphatic denials, would be too damaging to &#8220;Brand Burnham&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Next \u2013 despite the chancellor&#8217;s giveaways on the cost of living \u2013 the overall economic outlook is &#8220;pretty grim&#8221;, in the words of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Real Household Disposable Income looks set to fall in the coming months. Interest rates are predicted to go up. Nobody knows for sure what will happen next in the Middle East \u2013 and whether things could get worse before they get better.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Burnham has pledged a rewiring of the British state. He plans to set out a 10-year plan in the coming weeks. But without more detail, some wonder if voters will know enough to make a judgement. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On more than one occasion, Burnham has vowed to bring about the most significant change in British politics in four decades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">One former Labour minister could not detect much in this week&#8217;s Budget to that effect, saying: &#8220;It&#8217;s not an end to 40 years of neoliberalism is it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">That message was echoed by another Labour MP: &#8220;It was too low key to be an election Budget.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It was a disappointment, a play it safe, keep everything ticking over Budget\u2026 crumbs for all,&#8221; said another.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;No early general election after that Budget. We would be toast.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-c9fsah-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Theresa May wearing outdoor gear and sunglasses strides along a country road in the Swiss Alps with husband. Both are holding hiking polls.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/9PqlHM.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/21fb\/live\/15a8c970-d463-11f1-ab12-eb0c94f5b382.jpg 976w\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160.4006677796324\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Some argue Burnham would benefit from having his own mandate, with his own manifesto. But given the size of Labour&#8217;s general election win last time, many MPs think it&#8217;s inevitable that Labour will lose ground.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Others say that if Burnham&#8217;s government does feel the need to break Sir Keir Starmer&#8217;s manifesto commitments by increasing taxes, they should just do it, instead of holding an election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;If we need an election to put up taxes then arguably that&#8217;s easier to do now with our massive majority than to start an election campaign on the basis that we&#8217;re calling it in order to put up taxes,&#8221; said one Labour MP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;People act like a manifesto is a legal document written in blood. Plenty of governments have broken lots of manifesto promises.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Remember too that the prime minister has promised a detailed plan on social care in England, which is some way off. He has also not decided how far he wants to go in taking the UK closer to the EU.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There is a lot for Number 10 to weigh up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Labour might look back to Gordon Brown, who did not call an early election when he was prime minister and doing well in the polls. If he had gone to the country in October 2007, might Labour have stayed in power?<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But there will be plenty of others who look to Theresa May. She opted for a snap general election in April 2017, after mulling the decision over on a walking holiday in Wales. Despite flying high in the polls, the Tories lost their majority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">So will Burnham do it? <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He might be tempted. But there are plenty of risks that mean it would be far from an easy choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-xm7t37-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Thin, red banner promoting the Politics Essential newsletter with text saying, \u201cTop political analysis in your inbox every day\u201d. There is also an image of the Houses of Parliament.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/x6D0EG.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/6133\/live\/2bce6ee0-0b00-11f0-97d3-37df2b293ed1.png 976w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"316\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 type=\"normal\" class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Andy Burnham<\/li>\n<li>Conservative Party<\/li>\n<li>Liberal Democrats<\/li>\n<li>Reform UK<\/li>\n<li>Labour Party<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:15 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why MPs keep talking about an early election despite Burnham&#8217;s denials Getty Images Nick Eardley,&nbsp;Political correspondent,&nbsp;Henry Zeffman,&nbsp;Chief political correspondent&nbsp;and&nbsp;Matt Chorley,&nbsp;Presenter, BBC 5 Live 59 minutes ago Wander through Parliament at the moment, and there is one issue many MPs want to discuss: is there going to be an early general election? Prime Minister Andy Burnham&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/why-mps-keep-talking-about-an-early-election-despite-burnhams-denials\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Why MPs keep talking about an early election despite Burnham&#8217;s denials<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5526,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-politics","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5527"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5527\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}