Andy Burnham, the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield and sole candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader, has ruled out calling an early general election if he becomes prime minister.

During an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, Burnham emphasized his commitment to the 2024 manifesto, stating, 'I'm going to work to the 2024 manifesto.

' The last general election was held on 4 July 2024, with Labour securing a landslide majority, meaning the next election must be called by August 2029.However, a prime minister can choose to call an election earlier.

Burnham faced questions from thousands of Reddit users, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who challenged him to 'face a proper press conference.' Burnham defended his approach, noting he had already addressed 74,000 constituents in Makerfield.He also outlined policy positions, including maintaining the triple lock on state pensions, seeking closer EU ties, and exploring electoral reform.

Burnham reiterated Labour's fiscal pledges, such as not raising VAT, income tax, or national insurance, while suggesting potential tax adjustments for specific sectors.

The article highlights his focus on policy continuity and the challenges of balancing manifesto commitments with potential reforms, including defence spending increases and funding for Labour's next manifesto.His leadership bid underscores the political stakes as Labour navigates post-election responsibilities.