Andy Burnham is telling fibs about a snap election – I have a hunch when it’ll be . hyn

Andy Burnham of GMB this week speaking to Richard and Susannah Reid (Image: ITV)

I’ve now been alive longer than my father, three of my grandparents, and all my great-grandparents. So as I’m edging into my eighth decade – born into a postwar spring of 1956 – and have been interviewing sundry public figures on telly since 1978, I might be forgiven for thinking I’ve almost inevitably acquired at least a bit of perspective.

“Madeley has had more PMs than Liz Truss has had lettuces,” wrote one TV critic after this week’s GMB interview with Andy Burnham, and that gave me pause for thought. Or pause for counting, at any rate. Yes. Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson, Sunak, Starmer, and now Burnham. I’ve interviewed them all, usually more than once (you’ll note that I don’t mention Truss. I blinked and missed her).

Following every encounter, friends, family and viewers always ask me the same question. “So what are they like?” But after my and Susanna Reid’s meeting with Burnham on Monday, the question has been framed oh-so-slightly differently – but significantly so.

“Did you like him?” See the shift in emphasis? From a wider query about how a PM had come across, face to face, to a much more specific request for what amounts to a personal character reference.

Not “how did he/she come over?” but “c’mon – is he a nice bloke?” Very different, and it says a lot about the public perception of him and what people want of him.

Well, a good question deserves a good answer, so here’s mine.

Andy Burnham is one of the many prime ministers Richard Madeley has interviewed (Image: ITV)

Yes. Yes, I did like him. I speak as I find, and Andy Burnham is easily the most personable PM I’ve yet met or crossed swords with.

I’m as cynical as the next hack – I’ve been a reporter since 1972, so that’s a lot of corners rubbed off over more than half a century – and I think I can spot a phoney at 50 paces.

Burnham’s not a phoney. Which, of course, is not remotely the same thing as saying he’s a good prime minister.

Tuesday marked his first 100 days in the job, so the jury’s only just retired on that question. Take all the talk of an early, snap election. Burnham explicitly ruled that out in our interview. Did I believe him?

Of course not. All PMs fib about election plans. It’s practically part of the job description. If Wednesday’s do-no-harm Budget wasn’t an election Budget, then I’m Harry Potter. It kicked all the big decisions clattering down the street – welfare cuts, defence spending – and delivered a platter of small sweets and treats instead. Classic distraction techniques. Don’t frighten the voters. Don’t risk that Burnham bounce.

A freeze on income tax thresholds was an especially adroit way of gently pushing more people into higher tax bands. The Chancellor’s hoping that folk will hardly notice.

This was obviously stage-setting for an early election. I wouldn’t be surprised if it came in December, as the Lib Dems predict. But I’m putting my tenner on next May. I can hear Brenda from Bristol now. “Not ANOTHER one?!?” ’Fraid so, Bren. ’Fraid so.

Dominic West has been banned from driving for speeding (Image: AFP via Getty)

I see actor Dominic West has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding in a 30mph zone. He was fairly rocketing along at, er, 36mph. Get that Mr Toad off the road! Now!

It came in the same week as it was revealed that most police authorities in Britain failed to prosecute a single solitary cyclist over a 12-month period for breaking the law – crashing red lights, riding on the pavement, riding without lights, breaking 20mph limits, dangerous “undertaking”. It’s one rule for the pedal pushers, another for the petrol guzzlers.

So most of us have obediently trotted off and bought our bottled water, torches, wind-up or battery-powered radio, and tins of baked beans. Oh, and some candles. And don’t forget the matches.

We’re Armageddon-ready. Right. Now imagine living in Israel. The existential threat to the citizens of, say, Tel Aviv is a tad more tangible than it is in London or Manchester. Real rockets can drop out of the sky at any moment, not theoretical ones.

Across the desert in Iran, the covert race to build nuclear weapons continues (does anyone seriously doubt that?) and at any cost. And the purpose of those much-desired atomic warheads?

To obliterate Israel. Nothing less. Candles and wind-up radios are not much use against nukes. Presumably, the moronic chanters here in the UK of “from the river to the sea” would welcome such a catastrophe. Zionism is fascism, innit? (Actually, the word simply means the right to a homeland).

Antisemitism in Britain has shown its ugly, ignorant face in a way we haven’t seen for centuries. Shame on us.

‘Andy Burnham Is Telling Fibbs About a Snap Election – I Have a Hunch When It’ll Be’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has repeatedly insisted that Britain will not face an early general election, but growing speculation in Westminster suggests that the political situation could be more complicated than his public statements indicate. Despite firmly rejecting suggestions that he is preparing to send the country to the polls, questions continue to emerge about whether Labour is quietly considering an opportunity to secure a fresh electoral mandate. Burnham has told journalists that his priority is governing the country rather than focusing on his own political future. On 28 October 2026, he went further, explicitly ruling out a general election within the next 12 months. His comments were intended to put an end to speculation that Labour might take advantage of improving opinion polls and divisions among opposition parties. However, not everyone is convinced. Political commentators and opposition figures have continued to question whether the Prime Minister could eventually change his position if circumstances become more favourable. The debate has intensified following reports that some Labour MPs have been instructed to prepare their staff for the possibility of an early election campaign in May 2027. Such preparations do not necessarily mean that an election has been formally planned, but they demonstrate that the possibility is being discussed within political circles. There are several reasons why an early election might appeal to Burnham. First, Labour has experienced an improvement in its polling position since he became Prime Minister. A stronger personal profile and renewed enthusiasm among some Labour supporters could provide the party with an opportunity to strengthen its position in Parliament. Second, Reform UK and the Conservative Party are competing for support among voters who are dissatisfied with the political establishment. If their rivalry continues, Labour could potentially benefit from a divided opposition. However, calling an election would also involve considerable risks. Although Labour’s popularity has improved, its support remains vulnerable to economic developments, public dissatisfaction and criticism of government policy. A difficult election campaign could quickly expose weaknesses in the party’s promises. Burnham would also have to explain how his government intends to finance its spending commitments while addressing the country’s financial pressures. The cost of living remains a major concern for millions of households. Families continue to face pressure from housing expenses, energy bills, food prices and other everyday costs. The NHS, immigration and public services are also likely to dominate any future campaign. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage would almost certainly attempt to use these issues to challenge Labour’s record and present his party as an alternative. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch would seek to demonstrate that her party can recover from its previous electoral difficulties. The timing of a possible election is therefore extremely important. One theory being discussed in Westminster is that May 2027 could provide Burnham with an attractive opportunity, particularly because local elections are already expected to take place around that period. A general election held alongside local contests could create a major political moment and allow Labour to test its national support. Nevertheless, this remains speculation rather than an established government plan. Burnham has repeatedly maintained that the next general election is not imminent, and the current Parliament is not required to hold another nationwide election until 2029. Another important factor is the government’s promised ten-year strategy. Burnham has suggested that his administration wants to establish long-term policies covering economic growth, public services and regional development. Launching an election campaign too early could undermine that message by making the government appear more interested in political advantage than delivering its promises. There is also the question of whether voters would welcome another general election so soon. After years of political instability and repeated changes in government, many people may prefer politicians to concentrate on improving living standards rather than beginning another campaign. For Burnham, the challenge is to convince the public that his government can deliver meaningful change while avoiding the impression that every major announcement is designed to improve Labour’s electoral prospects. Despite his firm public statements, the speculation is unlikely to disappear completely. Political parties routinely prepare for possible elections even when no formal decision has been made, and such preparations should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a secret plan. My own assessment is that May 2027 will remain an important date to watch, particularly if Labour’s polling advantage continues and the government believes it has an opportunity to strengthen its parliamentary position. However, Burnham’s public commitment not to call an election within the next 12 months is significant and should not simply be dismissed. Ultimately, the question is whether the Prime Minister will stick to his promise or reconsider his position if the political circumstances change. For now, Britain has no confirmed date for an early general election. But with Westminster already discussing possible scenarios, the coming months could prove crucial for Burnham, Labour and the future direction of British politics.