Burnham's polling boost sparks election talk

Labour has remained consistently above Nigel Farage's Reform UK for approval since Andy Burnham became prime minister in July, fuelling speculation he could call an early general election.

Reform shows signs of recovery

The latest poll from YouGov shows Reform at twenty five points to Labour's twenty four, though an average of results from other top pollsters continues to indicate declining support for the party.

Burnham denies early election plans

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed the prime minister could call an election as soon as next May, although Burnham has recently said he wants to knock dead the possibility.

“knock dead the possibility”

By-election seen as test run

Labour sources told The Independent that the by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras is being seen as a test run for the possibility of a nationwide vote.

Opposition parties prepare for early poll

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey revealed a manifesto working group has already been formed. We don't normally do it this early, he told The Guardian.

“We don't normally do it this early”

Burnham lacks mandate from voters

Burnham secured the prime minister role with just twenty four thousand votes from the people of Makerfield and ran uncontested to be Labour leader, prompting opponents to argue he lacks a mandate from the nation.

Reform and Greens at historic lows

Reform's approval now sits at its lowest in twenty months, at an average of twenty three points, and the Greens at ten points, down from fourteen in April, making an early election strategically appealing.

Curtice warns numbers don't add up

Polling expert Sir John Curtice told The Independent there is still a chance for Reform UK to become the biggest party at a nationwide contest. The numbers are just not there, he said.

“The numbers are just not there”

Curtice: early election is a bad deal

Sir John noted Labour's disastrous local election results where it lost thirty eight councils, and warned that holding an election now means risking three years to gain two. It's a bad deal.

“It's a bad deal”