I'm not tempted to call an early election, Burnham says

Andy Burnham has told the BBC he is not tempted to call an early general election and there will not be one "anytime soon".

The prime minister said his focus was on helping people with the cost of living and supporting businesses, rather than "throwing the country into a backward-looking process".

Recent polling has suggested Labour's position has improved since Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street in July, although Reform UK and the Conservatives are not far behind.

An early general election could give Burnham a mandate of his own and free him from commitments made in Labour's 2024 manifesto. The next general election must be held by August 2029.

New policies, election speculation: What to expect from Burnham's first Labour conference as PM

Burnham heads to his first Labour Party conference as prime minister this weekend, with speculation over the prospect of a snap election likely to be a topic of conversation among some of those attending the event in Liverpool.

Labour has been projected to lose its majority but remain the largest party in the House of Commons if there was a snap election, according to recent polling.

It comes amid media reports that some of the PM's advisers have been weighing up the prospect of an election as early as next year.