Poll: Majority of UK adults believe Andy Burnham should call election for mandate
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IN SHORT
A recent Politico Poll indicates that a majority of UK adults believe Andy Burnham should call a general election to secure a mandate if he succeeds Keir Starmer as prime minister. This sentiment is shared even by some Labour voters. Burnham, a contender for the Labour leadership, has also outlined plans to split his time between Downing Street and Manchester if he becomes prime minister, proposing the creation of a 'No 10 North' unit to decentralize power from Westminster.
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Key Numbers
51%UK adults believing Burnham should call election
Who's Involved
Andy Burnham
Candidate to succeed Prime Minister Keir Starmer and plans to split time between Downing Street and Manchester
Keir Starmer
Current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Public First
Polling company that conducted the Politico Poll
Politico
News outlet that commissioned the poll
Labour
Political party whose leadership contest is underway
Key facts
A Politico Poll by Public First surveyed UK adults on Andy Burnham's potential succession of Keir Starmer.
51% of UK adults believe Andy Burnham should call an election if he becomes prime minister.
Some Labour voters also think a new general election is necessary if Burnham becomes prime minister.
Andy Burnham is a candidate to succeed Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Burnham plans to divide his working week between Downing Street and Manchester if he wins the Labour leadership.
He intends to establish a 'No 10 North' unit in Manchester.
The 'No 10 North' unit aims to devolve power away from Westminster.
A majority of UK adults believe that Andy Burnham should call a general election to obtain a mandate if he were to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister. This finding comes from a Politico Poll conducted by Public First. The poll revealed that 51% of UK adults hold this view, with the sentiment extending to some Labour voters who also consider a new general election necessary.
In parallel, Andy Burnham, who is a candidate for the Labour leadership, has detailed his intentions regarding his potential tenure as prime minister. He plans to divide his working week between Downing Street and Manchester should he win the leadership contest. A key component of this plan involves establishing a 'No 10 North' unit located in Manchester. The stated purpose of this unit is to devolve power away from Westminster and foster a more decentralized approach to governance.
Burnham's proposals suggest a significant shift in how the prime minister's office might operate, aiming to bridge the gap between national governance and regional centers. The poll results indicate public support, or at least consideration, for the idea of a leader securing a fresh mandate through an election, especially if they rise to power without one. Burnham's plan for a Northern base reflects a broader discussion about the concentration of power in London and the potential benefits of decentralization.
↳ Why This Matters
A majority of UK adults believe that Andy Burnham should call a general election to obtain a mandate if he were to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister. This finding comes from a Politico Poll conducted by Public First. The poll revealed that 51% of UK adults hold this view, with the sentiment extending to some Labour voters who also consider a new general election necessary.
Frequently asked questions
According to a POLITICO Poll by Public First, 51% of UK adults believe Andy Burnham should call an election to gain legitimacy if he becomes prime minister.
Opposition politicians argue that Burnham should call an election because he was not a candidate in the last general election, and they believe the country should have a say in who leads them.
The top reasons cited for not wanting an election were that it would be "too disruptive or costly" (37 percent) and that people were "bored of voting in elections" (12 percent).
The poll indicates that 59% of respondents named Andy Burnham as the most likely person to become the next prime minister.
What Happens Next
01Andy Burnham is expected to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister later this month.
02The public will continue to react to the political maneuvering surrounding the leadership transition and potential election calls.
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