Andy Burnham rocked by large blow as fuming Brits demand speedy motion
New polling shows many people are unhappy at the prospect of Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister without a Labour leadership contest
Andy Burnham is facing demands to trigger an early general election(Image: Getty Images)
Andy Burnham is facing demands to trigger an early general election before he even sets foot in Downing Street, according to a new poll. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester is widely tipped to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on July 20.
But a major new survey reveals British voters are already absolutely sick of the political musical chairs – and they want a say. The research, conducted by retired Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, shows the public is demanding a proper Labour leadership battle followed immediately by a national vote.
Nominations for the race to Number 10 officially open this Thursday and wrap up on July 15.
However, whispers are growing that Burnham could effortlessly cruise into the top job without facing a single opponent, and regular voters are apparently unimpressed.
Burnham only just returned to Parliament as an MP after winning last month’s Makerfield by-election.
The prospect of him now seizing the keys to the country without ever laying out his vision in a formal contest has triggered a backlash.
Only 27 per cent of Brits endorse Mr Burnham becoming PM in this manner, with 50 per cent wanting one or more other candidates to stand, and 23 per cent left unsure.
Those who voted Labour in the previous general election are most likely to support a so-called coronation (45 per cent), while only 11 per cent of Reform UK voters favour this, reports the Express.
Almost six out of 10 Britons (59 per cent) want a general election at least within the “next year or so”. This includes 70 per cent of Reform voters and 62 per cent of those who backed the Conservatives in 2024 who want an election “as soon as practically possible” because the “PM should have the consent of voters”.
A Reform spokesperson said: “Polling clearly shows the British public wants a general election – and so do we. Reform UK is ready for an election, and are ready to deliver radical change. Britain is broken, and only Reform will fix it.”
However, Conservative peer and election expert Robert Hayward expressed doubt that Mr Burnham would call the country to the polls early because numerous Labour MPs would fear losing their seats.
He said: “The pressure from within the parliamentary Labour party will be very much in the opposite direction.”
Lord Hayward doesn’t believe Burnham will encounter a challenger, despite considering coronations a “bad idea” both for parties and for the country because candidates remain untested.
Lord Ashcroft’s polling reveals much of the nation is preparing for a shift to the Left, with 41 per cent believing the Makerfield MP is more left-wing than Sir Keir, and just three per cent considering him more right-wing.
There is only limited optimism regarding a Burnham premiership. Just 22 per cent believe he will perform better than Sir Keir while 13 per cent anticipate he will be worse. The polling also underscores the influence of Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain.
While 38 per cent of Brits said they “don’t like what they stand for” and “definitely won’t vote for them”, 11 per cent said they “like a lot of what they stand for” and “might well vote for them next time”.
Mr Burnham will be banking on his rise to party leader and Prime Minister providing a much-needed boost for Labour.
When quizzed about who would make the best prime minister, 38 per cent of voters chose Mr Burnham, while 20 per cent opted for the Conservatives’ Kemi Badenoch and 17 per cent for Reform’s Nigel Farage.
It follows recent YouGov polling data that places Reform UK in pole position with 25 per cent (+1), ahead of the Conservatives on 21 per cent (+1), Labour on 20 per cent, the Greens on 13 per cent (no change), the Liberal Democrats 12 per cent (-1) and Restore Britain on 3 per cent (no change).
