UK PM Andy Burnham Rules Out Early Election and Near-Term EU Rejoining but Backs Longer-Term Return

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used a round of ITV interviews on October 26 to address several major political questions at once, ruling out a snap election and saying he does not plan to rejoin the European Union during this parliament, while expressing personal support for membership in the longer term. Burnham told ITV he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU within his lifetime and called for an "honest" discussion about the impact of Brexit, a decade after the 2016 referendum, but was explicit that no such move would come in the current parliamentary term.

On defence, Burnham said Defence Secretary Healey would set out on Wednesday a path for the UK to meet its NATO commitments, signalling an imminent spending announcement. He also said changes were needed to youth job support and that money could be saved in that area, flagging a domestic spending review focus. On immigration, Burnham backed the principles set out by the Home Secretary on indefinite leave to remain, indicating the government is holding firm on that policy.

The early election question had generated speculation partly because Burnham became Prime Minister without a public vote, succeeding Keir Starmer. His confirmation that the next general election is due in 2029 was designed, in his words, to knock that speculation dead.