Burnham rules out early general election

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election, saying the next vote is due in 2029 and that his priority is governing rather than starting another election campaign. His comments came in regional interviews ahead of his first Labour Party conference as prime minister, which is due to open in Liverpool on Sunday. Asked whether he was tempted to call an early poll, Burnham said he was not and that there would be no election anytime soon. He also affirmed that the next general election would be in 2029. The reports do not establish that a change to the election timetable has been proposed or approved. Burnham said his immediate focus was helping people with the cost of living and easing the costs faced by businesses. He plans to use a speech at the Liverpool conference next week to set out more of his direction for government. He said he wanted the country to look forward and avoid returning to an election cycle. The statements followed reports that some of Burnham’s advisers had considered the possibility of an election as early as next year.