The prime minister sat down for his first major interview with Laura Kuenssberg.
Andy Burnham sat down for his first major interview with BBC News, and it did not take long for the new prime minister to spark criticism from viewers. During the interview, Laura Kuenssberg asked Burnham whether he plans to call a general election. She pointed out that the UK’s 48 million electorates have not had the opportunity to vote on his plans, however, he firmly ruled out the prospect.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester said: “There is no early general election. 20 plus million people voted for a manifesto. We’re in a parliamentary democracy so that is what people voted for and I will honour that manifesto. I have faced the public in Makerfield. At the time I stood forward in the by-election, that constituency had voted Reform in May. I went and faced the public. I went out onto those doorsteps. I’ve got the support from colleagues in parliament and it’s a parliamentary democracy we are in.”
When asked if he is officially ruling it out, Burnham responded: “I am going to rule it out. There’s no early general election. I don’t think people want it.”
While he acknowledged that recent polls have suggested some people support the idea and others do not, he insisted his main aim is to get “Britain back to where it should be and getting it working”.
This was not the response viewers hoped for, with many taking to social media to voice their frustration.
One fumed: “Politics is the only occupation I know where blatant, bare faced lying to protect your job, is admired and encouraged. Every poll makes it clear that the majority of voters think he has no mandate and a GE is needed.”
